THE RHEA. 729 



When running, it moves at great 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 easily 

 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 ejKJnnest. ((/ 



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 horse- 

 back. The huntsmen form a semicircle, gradually closing in 

 on tile 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 vessel, 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. 



