334 BIRDS OF LA PLATA 



about on the plains; and from the large number 

 of wasted eggs found it seems probable that more 

 are dropped out of than in the nest. The egg when 

 fresh is of a fine golden yellow, but this colour 

 grows paler from day to day, and finally fades to a 

 parchment-white. 



After hatching the young are assiduously tended 

 and watched over by the cock, and it is then dan- 

 gerous to approach the Rhea on horseback, as the 

 bird with neck stretched out horizontally and out- 

 spread wings charges suddenly, making so huge and 

 grotesque a figure that the tamest horse becomes 

 ungovernable with terror. 



Eagles and the large Cairion Hawk are the enemies 

 the Rhea most fears when the young are still small, 

 and at the sight of one flying overhead he crouches 

 down and utters a loud snorting cry, whereupon 

 the scattered young birds run in the greatest terror 

 to shelter themselves under his wings. 



Darwin's Rhea, Rhea darwini, differs little in 

 colouring from the Common Rhea, which it replaces 

 south of the Rio Negro. From this river it ranges 

 south to the Straits of Magellan. The Indians call 

 it " Mol& Chueki "—short or dwarf Chueke ; its 

 Spanish name is " Avestruz petizo." They were 

 formerly very abundant along the Rio Negro; 

 unhappily some years ago their feathers commanded 

 a very high price ; Gauchos and Indians found that 

 htmting the Ostrich was their most lucrative em- 

 ployment; consequently these noble birds were 

 slaughtered in such numbers that they have been 



