In dealing with the category of birds I have purposely left the ostrich to the last, as that particular biped stands, as it were, in a class of its own. The _Rhea Americana_ represents a commercial asset of no little importance, and the grey companies of these rather awkward-looking creatures are carefully watched now as they strut solemnly to and fro over the pastures. The feathers, it is true, cannot as a rule rival in quality those of the African bird, although occasionally some very fine specimens are to be met with. Indeed, it is said that the large, specially selected feathers are sold at prices that range from fifteen dollars to twenty-five dollars the kilo. The great majority of the coarser feathers are of little value, and are employed for dusting brushes and such similar purposes. That the commerce in these ostrich feathers is of no little importance becomes evident when the shipments of the article are considered. In 1908 the exports of these to France, the United States, Spain, and Germany amounted to fifteen thousand kilos, while in 1909 they had increased to twenty-five thousand kilos. The numbers of the ostriches themselves, however, have tended to decrease of late years, and it is estimated that at the present time there are not more than fifty thousand in the country. Realising the danger incurred by this diminution, the Government is now taking measures towards the protection of these very useful birds, and there is no doubt that judicious legislation will cause their number to increase once more. CHAPTER XXIV INDUSTRIES AND NATURAL WEALTH England's financial stake in Uruguay--British capital invested in the Republic--Its monetary importance compared with that of other South American nations--General commercial development of the country--A satisfactory outlook--Progress of grazing and agriculture--Marked increase in commerce--Uruguay's exports--Cured meats and frozen carcasses--Diminution of the former trade; increase of the latter--Reasons for the transformation of industry--An outcome of Brazilian protection--The breeding of fine cattle for the European markets--Present situation of the world's meat market--The British Isles as importers of meat--The position in the United States--A change from the rôle of exporter to that of importer--The increase in River Plate shipments--Closeness of touch between South American and English markets--Probable admission of foreign meat into European countries--Intervention of the United States Beef Trust--Purchase of Frigorificos--Possible effects of a monopoly upon the producers--South American views on the subject--Favourable general position of the River Plate--The balance of power in beef--Extract of meat--The Lemco and Oxo Company--Ramifications of the enterprise--The town of Fray Bentos--Agriculture--Wheat--Maize--Barley.