Length of beak, from edge of membrane at base to the apex
Length, from anterior margin of eye to apex
Width of upper mandible, measured across middle of nostrils
R. Darwinii. H. Americana,
inches inches
2 2^
5A
The skin round and in front of the eyes is less bare in R . Darwinii; and
small bristly feathers, directed forwards, reach over the nostrils. The feet and
tarsi are nearly of the same size in the two species. Tn the R . Dorwinii, short
plumose feathers extend downwards in a point on the sides of the tarsus, for about
half its length. The upper two-thirds of the tarsus, in front, is covered with
reticulated scales in place of the broad transverse band-like scales of the R . Americana
; and the scales of the lower third are not so large as in the latter. In the
R . Dartvinii the entire length of the back of the tarsus is covered with reticulated
scales, which increase in size from the heel upwards: in the common Rhea, the
scales on the hinder side of the tarsus are reticulated only on the heel, and about
an inch above i t ; all the upper part consisting of transverse bands, similar to
those in front.
The first notice I received of this species was at the Rio Negro, in Northern
Patagonia, where 1 repeatedly heard the Gauchos talking of a very rare bird,
called Avestruz Petise. They described it as being less than the common ostrich
(which is there abundant), but with a very close general resemblance. They
said its colour was dark and mottled, and that its legs were shorter, and feathered
lower down than those of the common ostrich. It is more easily caught by the
bolas than the other species. The few inhabitants who had seen both kinds,
affirmed that they could distinguish them apart, from a long distance. The eggs,
however, of the small species appeared more generally known, and it was
remarked with surprise, that they were very little less than those of the common
Rhea, but of a slightly different form, and with a tinge of pale blue. Some eggs
which I picked up on the plains of Patagonia, agree pretty well with this description
; and I do not doubt are those of the Petise. This species occurs most rarely
in the neighbourhood of the Rio Negro; but about a degree and a half further
south they are tolerably abundant. One Gaucho, however, told me he distinctly
recollected having seen one, many years before, near the mouth of the Rio
Colorado, which is north of the Rio Negro. They are said to prefer the plains
near the sea. When at Port Desire in Patagonia (Lat. 48°), Mr. Martens shot an
ostrich ; I looked at it, and from most unfortunately forgetting at the moment,
the whole subject of the Petises, thought it was a two-third grown one of the
common sort. The bird was skinned and cooked before my memory returned.
But the head, neck, legs, wings, many of the larger feathers, and a large part of
the skin, had been preserved. From these a very nearly perfect specimen has
been put together, and is now exhibited in the museum of the Zoological
Society. M. A. D ’Orbigny, a distinguished French naturalist, when at the Rio
Negro, made great exertions to procure this bird, but had not the good fortune to
succeed. He mentions it in his Travels (vol. ii. p. 76.) and proposes (in case, I
presume, of his obtaining a specimen at some future time, and thus being able to
characterize it,) to call it Rheapennata. A notice of this species was given long
since (A.D. 1749) by Dobrizhoffer, in his account of the Abipones (vol. i. Eng.
Trans, p. 314). He says, “ You must know, moreover, that Emus differ in size
and habits in different tracts of land; for those that inhabit the plains of Buenos
Ayres and Tucuman are larger, and have black, white, and grey feathers ; those
near to the Strait of Magellan are smaller, and more beautiful, for their white
feathers are tipped with black at the extremity, and their black ones in like
manner terminate in white.”
Among the Patagonian Indians in the Strait of Magellan, we found a half-
bred Indian, who had lived some years with this tribe, but had been born in the
northern provinces. I asked him if he had ever heard of the Avestruz Petise ? He
answered by saying, “Why there are none others in these southern countries.”
He informed me that the number of eggs in the nest of the Petise is considerably
less than with the other kind, namely, not more than fifteen on an average; but
he asserted that more than one female deposited them. At Santa Cruz we saw
several of these birds. They were excessively wary : I think they could see a
person approaching, when he was so far off as not to distinguish the ostrich. In
ascending the river few were seen ; but in our quiet and rapid descent, many, in
pairs and by fours or fives, were observed. It was remarked by some of the
officers, and I think with truth, that this bird did not expand its wings, when first
starting at full speed, after the manner of the northern kind. The fact of these
ostriches swimming across the river has been mentioned. In conclusion, I may
repeat that the R . Americana inhabits the eastern plains of S. America as far as
a little south of the Rio Negro, in lat. 41°, and that the R . Dartvinii takes its
place in Soutliern Patagonia ; the part about the Rio Negro being neutral territory.
Wallis saw ostriches at Bachelor’s river (lat 53° 54'), in the Strait of Magellan,
which must be the extreme southern possible range of the Petise.
O r d e r -GRALLATORES.
O r e o p h i l u s TOTANIROSTRIS. Jard. <§• Selb-.
Orcophilus totaiiirostris, Jard. 4’ Selb. Illustr. of Orn. iii. pl. 151.
My specimens were obtained at Maldonado and at Valparaiso. At the
former, it was common, feeding on the open grassy plains in small flocks,
mingled with the icteri and the thrush-like Xolmis variegata. When these birds