RECORD: Darwin, C. R. [1871-1874]. Abstract of Musters, At home with Patagonians. CUL-DAR88.156. Edited by John van Wyhe (The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online, http://darwin-online.org.uk/)
REVISION HISTORY: Transcribed by Christine Chua and edited by John van Wyhe 9.2021. RN2
NOTE: See record in the Darwin Online manuscript catalogue, enter its Identifier here. Reproduced with permission of the Syndics of Cambridge University Library and William Huxley Darwin. The volumes CUL-DAR87-90 contain material for Darwin's book Descent of man 2d ed. (1874-1877).
[156]
Capt Musters says the Rhea Darwinii, (which he states represents exclusively in Patagonia the N. species) is Polygamous, 1 ♂ to 5 or 6 ♀s & takes charge of eggs & young - feigns injury is larger & of slightly darker colour, stronger & swifter
At Home with the Patagonians 1871. p. 128.
Musters, George Chaworth, 1871. At home with the Patagonians: a year's wanderings over untrodden ground from the Straits of Magellan to the Rio Negro. London: John Murray. Cited in Descent 2d ed., p. 479n: "Captain Musters says ('At home with the Patagonians,' 1871, p. 128), that the male is larger, stronger and swifter than the female, and of slightly darker colours; yet he takes sole charge of the eggs and of the young, just as does the male of the common species of Rhea."
Citation: John van Wyhe, ed. 2002-. The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online. (http://darwin-online.org.uk/)
File last updated 22 August, 2025