THE RHEA. - 729 



When running, it moves at gi'eat speed, alternately raising, 

 outstretching, and then depressing its wings. 



The cock bird emits a singularly deep-toned, hissing note ; 

 and he can be distinguished by being larger, darker coloured, 

 and having a bigger head than the hen. The cry is so deep 

 and loud, that it resembles that of a wild beast. 



His hens lay their eggs at random round a hole which he 

 digs for the nest. He then employs himself in rolling them 

 along into it, by inserting his beak between the egg and the 

 ground, as a boy would roll a hockey ball along with a stick. 

 He then sits to hatch them, while the hens feed round at 

 liberty. He lies so close on these occasions, that he is easih^ 

 ridden over. He is at this time very fierce, and even danger- 

 ous, and has been known to attack a man on horseback, trying 

 to kick and leap up at him. Frequently twenty -two eggs, 

 and even more, are found in each nest. 



The rhea, when pursued, readily takes to the water ; and 

 sometimes even of its own accord, when not frightened, will 

 swim across a river. One has been seen crossing a stream 

 four hundred yards in width. 



When swimming, very little of their bodies appear above 

 water, and their necks are extended a little forward, — their 

 progress being slow. 



The rhea is hunted by the Gauchos and Indians on hoi*se- 

 back. The huntsmen form a semicircle, gradually closing in 

 on the bird, which does not know in which way to escape. It 

 generally runs off against the wind ; at the same time, when 

 it first starts, it expands its wings, and, like a vess(il, makes 

 sail. As the huntsman gets close to it he throws his lasso 

 over its neck ; or if he is using the bolas, he casts them so as 

 to entangle the bird's legs, and thus bring it to the ground. 



