224 TIMEHRI. 
latter in the struéture of the skull and with the former in 
having a keeled sternum or breast bone. They are also 
remarkable for their curiously coloured eggs, the shells 
of which are very smooth and shining, appearing as if 
made of Ivory. About six species of these birds are 
recorded from here, the best known of which are the 
large Maam and the Mamoo Swagger Crypturus varie- 
gatus. 
Nearly allied to the Old World Ostriches are the 
Rhetde or Rheas. The family is not represented in 
Guiana being only met with in the extreme Southern and 
Central parts of the Neotropical Region. They differ 
from the Ostriches in their smaller size, and chiefly in 
the struéture of their feet, which have three toes instead 
of two. 
These birds have very remarkable nesting habits. Several 
hens lay together in the same nest and when a sufficient 
number of eggs have been deposited, the male bird per- | 
forms the duties of incubation and cares for the young 
when they are hatched. 
The Rheas number in all four species, but of one of 
them Akea nana nothing appears to be known but the 
egg. An albino variety of R. americana is sometimes 
met with. 
With the exception of the magnificent Ocellated 
Turkey, Meleagris ocellata, of Honduras and Yucatan, 
the Neotropical game birds are all of exceedingly sober 
plumage, but nevertheless many fine aad striking forms 
may be found among the Curassows or Powises (Craczdz) 
and the Guans or Marudies (Penelopin.) 
These birds together with the turkeys (Meleagrinz) 
are amongst the largest of the game birds, the latter re- 
