THE RHEA. 505 



"there is always an odd number, some nests having been discovered with nine, others with 

 eleven, and others, again, with thirteen." The color of the eggs is, while fresh, a rich green, 

 of varying quality, but after the shells are emptied and exposed to the light, the beautiful 

 green hue fades into an unwholesome greenish-brown. The parent birds sit upon their eggs, 

 as has been related of the ostrich. The Emeu is not polygamous, one male being apportioned 

 to a single female. 



In captivity, the Emeu soon accommodates itself to circumstances, and breeds freely, and 

 seems as much at ease as if it were in the state of freedom. It is a most inquisitive bird, 

 inspecting every novelty with great attention. "I once," writes Dr. Bennett, "saw a tine 

 pair of full-grown specimens in a paddock near Sydney. Stopping to observe one which was 

 at a short distance from the fence, he immediately came down to have a look at me. 

 The second bird was some distance off, but, with their usual keenness of vision, on per- 

 ceiving me viewing his companion, he came stalking down rapidly, and they both stared at 

 me most attentively, stretching out their necks for the sake of making a nearer acquaintance, 

 when, finding no result from our interview, and their curiosity being satisfied, they quietly 

 stalked away. 



"In the Domain, near the Government House, some tame Emeus may lie seen walking 

 about, and often, near the Grand House, marching with measured pace, as if keeping guard 

 with the soldiers on duty. One day, during the levee, when the Domain was crowded with 

 people to see the arrivals and listen to the band, the Emeus mingled with the crowd, appar- 

 ently enjoying the gay scene around them, when some strangers, who were afraid of these 

 birds, ran away. On seeing this, the Emeus, enjoying a chase, pursued, and overtaking one 

 of the gentlemen, took off his hat, to his great surprise. The above circumstance demonstrates 

 their fearless nature, and how readily these noble birds might be domesticated." 



The color of the adult bird is lightish-brown and gray, but when it is young, its plumage 

 is decorated with four broad, black, longitudinal stripes down the back, and four on each side, 

 and four more down the neck and breast. These stripes run in pairs, the two streaks of each 

 pair being divided by a narrow line of white. Towards the head, the stripes are broken into 

 spots and dashes. The feathers are very loose, and hairy in their appearance, and, as is the 

 case with all the Struthiones, will repay a close examination, on account of the great develop- 

 ment of the accessory plumes, springing from the shafts of the feathers. The height of a fine 

 male Emeu is from six to seven feet. 



Another species belonging to the same genus, the Spotted Emeu (Dromaius irrordtus), 

 is found in the same country, and can be distinguished by its black head and neck, and the 

 dashes of brownish-black and gray upon its plumage. 



America is not without representatives of this fine group of birds. 



The Rhea is a native of South America, and is especially plentiful along the River Plata. 

 It is generally seen in pairs, though it sometimes associates together in flocks of twenty or 

 thirty in number. Like all the members of this group, it is a swift-footed and wary bird, but 

 possesses so little presence of mind that it becomes confused when threatened 'with danger, 

 runs aimlessly first in one direction, and then in another, thus giving time for the hunter to 

 come up and shoot it, or bring it to the ground with his "bolas" — a terrible weapon, consist- 

 ing of a cord with a heavy ball at each end, which is flung at the bird, and winds its coils 

 round its neck and legs, so as to entangle it, and bring it to the ground. 



The food of the Rhea consists mainly of grasses, roots, and other vegetable substances, but 

 it will occasionally eat animal food, being known to come down to the mud banks of the river 

 for the purpose of eating the little fish that have been stranded in the shallows. 



Our knowledge of the Rhea and its habits is almost wholly derived from Mr. Darwin's 

 writings, and, as an original narrative is mostly superior to a second-hand description, part of 

 his account will be given in his own words. The reader must remember that the Rhea is 

 popularly called the Ostrich in South America. 



"This bird is well known to abound on the plains of La Plata. To the north it is found, 

 according to Azara. in Paraguay, where, however, it is not common ; to the south, its limit 



Vol. LL— &!. 



