14 STRENGTH OF THE CONDOR. 



by which, it is surrounded, the aspect of the bird is very curious, as it sits with its large hooked 

 beak and projecting crest lying on the shoulders as if it possessed no neck at all. 



There are several curious details in the internal structure of the Condor, among which 

 may be mentioned the remarkable fact that its "gizzard" is furnished with longitudinal rows 

 of horny spikes, which are probably intended to aid the creature in the more rapid comminu- 

 tion and digestion of its food. 



The Condor is an inhabitant of the mountain chain of the Andes, and is celebrated not 

 only for its strength and dimensions, but for its love of elevated localities. When enjoying 

 the unrestricted advantages of its native home, it is seldom found lower than the line of per- 

 petual snow, and only seems to seek lower and more temperate regions when driven by hunger 

 to make a raid on the flocks or the wild quadrupeds of its native country. Although pre- 

 ferring carrion to the flesh of recently killed animals, the Condor is a terrible pest to the 

 cattle keeper, for it will frequently make a united attack upon a cow or a bull, and by dint 

 of constant worrying, force the poor beast to succumb to its winged pursuers. Two of these 

 birds will attack a vicugna, a deer, or even the formidable puma, and as they direct their 

 assaults chiefly upon the eyes, they soon succeed in blinding their prey, who rapidly falls 

 under the terrible blows which are delivered by the beaks of its assailants. 



The strength of the Condor is really prodigious, a powerful man being no match even for 

 a wounded and tethered bird ; and its tenacity of life is such, that a combat of endurance is 

 nearly certain to end in favor of the Condor. Humboldt relates a curious anecdote of a Con- 

 dor that resisted a series of efforts that were made in order to deprive it of life. In vain was it 

 strangled for many minutes, for as soon as the noose was removed from its neck the bird 

 walked about as composedly as if nothing had happened to it. At last a pistol was brought to 

 bear upon it, and three bullets were fired from a distance of four paces, all fairly entering the body. 

 A fourth ball struck against the leg bone and rebounded without doing much apparent harm. 

 In spite of all the wounds which it had received, this poor bird survived for nearly half 

 an hour. 



The Indians are possessed with a strange prejudice against the Condor, and whenever they 

 catch one of these birds alive, trey put it to death through the medium of the most cruel tor- 

 tures. Their mode of capturing so powerful a bird is worthy of notice, as it is based upon the 

 habits of the Condor. A cow or a horse is killed, and the body thrown negligently on one 

 side, so as to be exposed to the open air. In a very short time the Condors begin to assemble, 

 and soon are engaged in feeding voraciously upon the unexpected and welcome banquet. As 

 soon, however, as they have gorged themselves to the full, the Indians dash in among them, 

 armed with their lassos, and make easy captives of the finest birds. When they feel the noose 

 around their necks, the Condors endeavor to eject the huge meal which they have swallowed, 

 but are made hopeless prisoners before they can rid themselves of the enormous mass of food 

 which they have contrived to pack into their interiors. 



On account of the exquisitely delicate scent of this bird the native Mexicans have dis- 

 tinguished it by a name which bears allusion to its keen sense of smell, and has been modified 

 into the more euphonious word Condor. 



Although the Condor is not a very social bird, it is generally found in little assemblages 

 of five or six in number, which are seen either seated motionless upon the summits of the 

 rocks, their outlines cutting sharply against the sky, or sailing slowly in circles at an enor- 

 mous elevation above the ground. The flight of these birds is peculiarly grand and beautiful, 

 and seems to be achieved by the movement of the head and neck rather than by that of the 

 wings. Mr. Darwin gives the following animated description of the flight of the Condor. 



"Except when rising from the ground, I do not recollect ever having seen one of these 

 birds flap its wings. Near Lima I watched several for nearly half an hour without once 

 taking off my eyes. They moved in large curves, sweeping in circles, descending and ascend- 

 ing without once flapping. As they glided close over my head, I intently watched from an 

 oblique position the outlines of the separate and terminal feathers of the wing : if there had 

 been the least vibratory movement these would have blended together ; but they were seen 

 distinctly against the blue sky. The head and neck were moved frequently, and apparently 



