human
Though the thing isn't generally known, he says,
gpt
Indeed, yes. I never heard of a third species, though father has told me of the _avestruz petise_; which, as you say, is only found far south, ranging from the Rio Negro to the Straits of Magellan.
human
Well, continues Gaspar, resuming his account,
gpt
I'm sure of there being there sorts; though I don't know much about the other two, only this we've met here. Of them I ought to know a good deal, having hunted them as often as there are days in the year. One thing there's been no end of disputation about; and that is whether several hens lay their eggs in the same nest. Now, I can say for certain they do. I've seen several go to the same nest, one after the other, and on the same day too. What should take them there if not to lay their eggs? True, they drop them about everywhere, in a very loose, careless way; as can be told by their being seen scattered all over the _campo_, and far from any nest. What this is for I cannot myself tell; though I've heard some gauchos say that these stray eggs--_huachos_ we call them--are laid here and there for the young birds to feed upon. But that can't be so, since the _huachos_ are never found pecked or broken, but always whole, whether they be fresh or addled. I think it's more likely that the hens drop these stray eggs because they have no nest in which to put them; that where they have laid their others being already full. Besides, there is the cock sitting upon it; who won't let any of them come near, once he has taken to hatching?
human
Is it true, then, that the cock does the hatching?
gpt
Quite true--all of it; and he's got a good many eggs to cover. I've counted over fifty in one nest. That of itself shows no single hen could have laid them; for, as it would take her a long time, the first ones would be rotten before the last came. As for the cock when sitting, he's as cross as an old duck doing the same, but _ten_ times more dangerous to go near. I've known of a gaucho getting a kick from one he'd started from off the nest, almost as hard as if it had been given by a mule. And to hear them hiss then! Ah! that was nothing we've just heard from this fellow.
human
Is it true they can swim, Gaspar?
gpt
Like swans. No, I'm wrong there, for nothing can be more unlike. So far as the swimming goes, the _avestruz_ can do it, but in quite a different way from swans. They swim with their bodies under water, and only their shoulders, with the head and neck, above. It's a funny sight to see a flock of them crossing one of the big rivers; and scores of times I've been eye-witness to that bit of comicality. _Carramba_! a curious bird, the _avestruz_ is altogether, and a useful one, as we've now good reason to know. So, _senoritos_, let us be thankful to Providence that there's such a plenty of them on these _pampas_, and above all, for guiding the steps of this fine specimen, as to place it so directly and opportunely in our way.