NANHII, or AMERICAN OSTRICH (rhea), a genus of South American birds allied to the ostrich, cassawary, and emu, and most nearly to the ostrich, from which it differs in having the feet three-toed, and each toe armed whit a claw; also in being more com pletely feathered on the head and neck; in having no tail; and in having the wings bet ter developed and plumed, and terminated by a hooked spur. The wings are, Mayo], better developed than in any other of the struthionithe, although still unfit for flight. The neck has 10 vertebra:, There are at least three species. The best know n species (V. Americana) is considerably smaller than the ostrich, standing about 5 ft. high. It is of uniform gray color, except on the back, which has a brown tint. The male is larger and darker-colored than the female.. The back and rump are furnished with 10ng feathers, but of a more ordinary kind than those of the ostrich. - This bird inhabits the great grassy plains of South America, southward of the equator, abounding on the banks of the La Plata and its more southern tributaries, and as far s. as lat. 42° or 48'.
Its range does not extend across the Cordilleras. It is generally FCC]) in small troops. It runs with great celerity, using its wings in aid. It is polygamous, one male seeming possession of two or more females, which lay their eggs in a common nest, or drop them on the ground near the nest, to which the male rolls them. Contrary to the usual habit of birds, incubation is performed by the male. The Nandu is shy and wary, but is suc cessfully hunted by the Indians, generally on horseback. The flesh of the young is not unpleasant. The Nandi' is capable of being domesticated.—A simile!: and more recently discovered species (I?. Darwinti) has light-brown plumage, each feather tipped with white. It inhabits Patagonia. A third species (I?. anacrorItynclut) is distingnished by its large bill.