CHAPTER IX 



THE RHEAS 



(Order Rhei/orrnes} 



N the New World the place of the Ostriches is taken by a somewhat 

 closely related group of birds known as the Rheas, Nandus, or 

 American Ostriches (Rhea). They are confined exclusively to the 

 pampas of South America and are readily distinguished from the 

 true Ostriches by the presence of three toes, a feathered neck, and practically 

 no tail, though they agree with the Ostriches in the absence of aftershafts to the 

 feathers. While there are numerous other differences in the skeleton and soft 

 parts, it may be stated that the Rheas have the powerful legs and hence the 

 similar tremendous speed of the Ostriches. Their habits, as will be recounted 

 later, are also similar. 



The Rheas are divided into three quite well-marked species, the largest being 

 the Common Rhea (Rhea americana) found in Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, and 

 the Argentine Republic. It is much inferior in size to the true Ostrich, although 

 about fifty-two inches in total length. The general color above is slaty gray, 

 with the head blackish and the neck whitish, becoming dark between the shoul- 

 ders. The under parts are whitish with the exception of two black crescents 

 on the upper breast. This Rhea was once abundant throughout the Argen- 

 tine Republic, but with the advent of firearms it has disappeared from many 

 localities. The following account is from the pen of Mr. W. H. Hudson, who 

 had opportunity for many years of studying its habits: "The Rhea is par- 

 ticularly well adapted in its size, color, faculties, and habits, to the condition of 

 the level woodless country it inhabits ; its lofty stature, which greatly exceeded 

 that of many of its enemies, before the appearance of the European mounted 

 hunter, enables it to see far; its dim gray plumage, the color of the haze, made 

 it almost invisible to the eye at a distance, the long neck being so slender and the 

 bulky body so nearly on a level with the tall grasses ; while its speed exceeded 

 that of all other animals inhabiting the same country. 



" The Rhea lives in bands of from 3 or 4 to 20 or 30 individuals. When they 

 are not persecuted they show no fear of man, and come about the houses, and are 

 as familiar and tame as domestic animals; sometimes, indeed, they become too 

 familiar. When persecuted Rheas soon acquire a wary habit, and escape by 

 running almost before the enemy has caught sight of them, or else crouch down 

 to conceal themselves in the long grass. Their speed and endurance are so great 

 that, with a fair start, it is almost impossible for the hunter to overtake them, 



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