"The bolas, or balls, are of two kinds: the simplest, which is chiefly used for catching ostriches, consists of two round stones, covered with leather, and united by a thin plaited thong, about either feet long... The Gaucho holds the smallest of the three in his hand, and whirls the other two round and round his head; then, taking aim, sends them chain shot revolving through the air. The ball no sooner strike any object, than, winding around it, they cross each other, and become firmly hitched." Charles Darwin, Voyage of the Beagle
Interesting, that at this time, rheas are not recognized as being a different species from ostriches - or they were and Darwin didn't know. There are two species of rhea, the Greater Rhea (below) and the Lesser Rhea, which Darwin discovers - kind of- that's a story for later.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Rhea_americana_qtl2.jpg
Sadly, I have never seen a rhea in the wild and reading the Voyages has rekindled the wanderlust in me - to the point of angst.
"The bolas, or balls, are of two kinds: the simplest, which is chiefly used for catching ostriches, consists of two round stones, covered with leather, and united by a thin plaited thong, about either feet long... The Gaucho holds the smallest of the three in his hand, and whirls the other two round and round his head; then, taking aim, sends them chain shot revolving through the air. The ball no sooner strike any object, than, winding around it, they cross each other, and become firmly hitched." Charles Darwin, Voyage of the Beagle
Interesting, that at this time, rheas are not recognized as being a different species from ostriches - or they were and Darwin didn't know. There are two species of rhea, the Greater Rhea (below) and the Lesser Rhea, which Darwin discovers - kind of- that's a story for later.
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| http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Rhea_americana_qtl2.jpg |
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