ANATOMY OF BIRDS
GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION
MIGRATIONS OF BIRDS
CLASSIFICATION OF BIRDS
LIZARD-TAILED BIRD
AMERICAN TOOTHED-BIRDS
THE OSTRICHES
THE RHEAS
EMEUS AND CASSOWARIES
THE TINAMOUS
THE KIWIS
THE PENGUINS
LOONS AND GREBES
ALBATROSSES & PETRELS
STORK-LIKE BIRDS
GOOSE-LIKE BIRDS
FALCON-LIKE BIRDS
FOWL-LIKE BIRDS
CRANE-LIKE BIRDS
PLOVER-LIKE BIRDS
CUCKOO-LIKE BIRDS
THE ROLLER-LIKE BIRDS
SPARROW-LIKE BIRDS
Birds and Birding's Guide to:
Watching THE RHEAS
Darwin's Rhea
Darwin's Rhea was formerly very abundant, but the fluffy wing-feathers were exported in large quantities to be used in the manufacture of feather dusters, and as a result the birds have become extremely scarce except in the far interior.
They were captured, as are the other species at the present time, by means of the bolos, the well-known South American sling. The one used for Rheas consists of two half-pound leaden balls connected by eight feet of twisted rawhide twine. When thrown with proper precision it entangles the legs of the birds, and they become an easy prey.
The birds are approached on a fleet horse until within proper throwing distance, or sometimes a whole community of natives unite in enclosing a large area of country, driving the birds towards a constantly decreasing circle, when they are all captured.
In recent years firearms have been resorted to, and it would seem that these splendid birds are likely to be wholly exterminated unless steps are taken to protect them.
Footer
Footer