Across the wide Pampas, from the plains of La Plata to the south of
Patagonia, the large rhea, vying almost in size with the African
ostrich, stalks along, generally in pairs, but sometimes in large flocks
of thirty or more. It differs from the real ostrich,--having three toes
instead of two, is smaller, and of a uniform grey colour, except on the
back, which has a brown tint. Like the ostrich, the back and rump are
furnished with long feathers, but of a less rich description than the
former species.
When running, it moves at great speed, alternately raising,
outstretching, and then depressing its wings.
The cock bird emits a singularly deep-toned, hissing note; and he can be
distinguished by being larger, darker coloured, and having a bigger head
than the hen. The cry is so deep and loud, that it resembles that of a
wild beast.
His hens lay their eggs at random round a hole which he digs for the
nest. He then employs himself in rolling them along into it, by
inserting his beak between the egg and the ground, as a boy would roll a
hockey ball along with a stick. He then sits to hatch them, while the
hens feed round at liberty. He lies so close on these occasions, that
he is easily ridden over. He is at this time very fierce, and even
dangerous, and has been known to attack a man on horseback, trying to
kick and leap up at him. Frequently twenty-two eggs, and even more, are
found in each nest.
The rhea, when pursued, readily takes to the water; and sometimes even
of its own accord, when not frightened, will swim across a river. One
has been seen crossing a stream four hundred yards in width.
When swimming, very little of their bodies appear above water, and their
necks are extended a little forward,--their progress being slow.
The rhea is hunted by the Gauchos and Indians on horseback. The
huntsmen form a semicircle, gradually closing in on the bird, which does
not know in which way to escape. It generally runs off against the
wind; at the same time, when it first starts, it expands its wings, and,
like a vessel, makes sail. As the huntsman gets close to it he throws
his lasso over its neck; or if he is using the bolas, he casts them so
as to entangle the bird's-legs, and thus bring it to the ground.
The rhea is easily tamed, and is constantly seen about the huts of the
Patagonians.
In the southern part of Patagonia another species, much smaller,
exists,--the Avestris petise, now called Struthio Darwinii, in
compliment to the naturalist who has described it. He states that not
more than fifteen eggs are found in the nest of the petise, deposited by
two or more females. This bird does not expand its wings when first
starting at full speed, after the manner of the northern kind. It is a
smaller and more graceful bird: its white feathers are tipped with black
at the extremities, and the black ones in like manner are tipped with
white.
A third species, the large-billed rhea (Rhea macrorhyncha), has been
discovered. These birds in vast numbers inhabit the wide-extended
plains, and afford a welcome addition to the food of their roving
inhabitants.