Class AVES. 



Sub-Class EATIT^l. 

 Order RHEIFORMES. 



Family RHEID.E. 



Genus RHEA, Lath. 

 [Cf. Nathusius,/./ O. 1896, p. 257.] 



The eggs of the Rheas are elliptical in form, and in some instances 

 biconical. The shell is very strong, smooth and closely pitted 

 with pores. The majority are glossy ; a few are entirely without 

 gloss. 



Rhea americana (Linn.). 



Rhea americana, Thien. Fortpflanz. ges. Voy. tab. ii. fig. 1 (1845-54) ; 

 Sclater, P. Z. S. 1863, p. 234; Hudson, P. Z. 8. 1872, p. 535 ; Gibson, 

 Ibis, 1885, p. 283; Claraz, P. Z. S. 1885, p. 324; Scl. 8f Huds. 

 Argent. Orn. ii. p. 216 (1889) ; Holland, Ibis, 1892, p. 214; Schalow, 

 J. f. O. 1894, p. 12 ; Salvadori, Cat. Birds B. M. xxvii. p. 578 

 (1895) ; Sharpe, Hand-l. i. p. 1 (1899). 



The eggs of the Common "Rhea in the Collection vary in colour 

 between parchment-white and pale yellow. They also vary in size 

 very considerably, and it is probable that those of the first year are 

 much smaller than those subsequently laid. Full-sized eggs measure 

 from 5-3 to 6 in length and from 3-55 to 3-95 in breadth. A small 

 specimen collected by Mr. A. H. Holland measures only 3-15 by 2-45. 



1. Buenos Ayres. C. J. Jessop, Esq. [P.]. 



1. Buenos Ayres. W. Parish, Esq. [P.], 



1. Argentine Republic. W. Moncreiflfe, Esq. [P.l. 



1. Argentine Republic, Oct. A. H. Holland, Esq. [C.J. 



2. Rio Grande do Sul. Dr. von Ihering [PJ. 

 1. Laid in confinement (Zool. Salvin-Godman Coll. 



Gardens, London). 



3. Lilford Aviaries. Lord Lilford [P.]. 



VOL. I. B 



