[Illustration: THE INAMBU (_Rhynchotus rufescens_). ONE-QUARTER NATURAL
SIZE.]
The INAMBU (_Rhynchotus rufescens_) represents a group recognisable by
their great size, powerful body, long neck, small head, and slender,
slightly-curved beak, which exceeds the head in length, and is bluntly
rounded at its extremity. The wings are short and vaulted, with pointed
primaries, of which the first is very small and the fourth the longest.
The foot is high and furnished with long front toes and a well-developed
hinder toe. The plumage, which upon the cheeks and bridles is composed
of remarkably small feathers, is principally of a reddish yellow, the
region of the throat being of a whitish hue, and the crown of the head
streaked with black. The feathers on the back, wings, and tail-covers
are also striped with black, and have two broad black lines above their
yellow border. The primaries are of uniform bright yellowish red, and the
secondaries grey, marked with undulating black and grey lines. The eye is
yellowish brown; the beak brown with a pale yellowish brown base to the
lower mandible, and the foot flesh-brown. The length of this species is
sixteen inches; the wing measures eight inches.
The Inambu is an inhabitant of Central Brazil, being specially numerous
in St. Paul's, Southern Minas, and Goyaz: Darwin met with it in the
sterile country near Bahia Blanca, where it frequented swampy thickets
on the borders of lakes. According to that naturalist it lies low and
is unwilling to rise, but often utters a very shrill whistle whilst
on the ground. The flesh when cooked is quite white. The Inambu is a
constant object of pursuit to the sportsman, and to this fact is no doubt
attributable the shyness it exhibits at the approach of danger; if alarmed
it at once seeks shelter in the grass, and only has recourse to its wings
if sorely pressed. Occasionally, but rarely, these birds are met with
associated in considerable numbers. According to Burmeister they fly about
during the twilight hours, and make their nest in a thick bush. The eggs,
from six to eight in number, are of a very glossy dark grey colour shaded
with violet.
* * * * *
The AMERICAN QUAILS (_Nothura_) are a race of small birds that nearly
resemble the European Quail in their general appearance, and like it
make their homes in the long grass of open pastures. The plumage of this
group is thick, composed of long narrow feathers, and the beak is short
and much hooked at its extremity. The first wing-quill is very short,
the second comparatively large, and the fourth longer than the rest. The
tail-feathers, which in some species are of remarkable size, are soft in
texture; the foot is strong, and the hind toe moderately developed. These
timid birds inhabit South America, frequenting both the open grassy plains
that border the large rivers, and the barren tracts of the warmer portions
of the continent. If alarmed they conceal themselves in bushes, or crouch
close to the ground and do not readily have recourse to their wings.
Insects and small fruits constitute their means of subsistence.