

AVES — CONDOR. 417 



The condor has been observed throughout the whole range of that im- 

 mense chain of mountains which traverses the continent of South America, 

 from the Straits of Magellan to the seventh degree of north latitude. It 

 appears, however, to be much more common in Peru and Chili, than in any 

 other part of the chain, and is most frequently met with at an elevation 

 of from ten to fifteen thousand feet above the level of the ocean. Here, in 

 the regions of perpetual snow, they may be seen grouped together to the 

 number of three or four, but never in the large troops in which the true 

 vultures sometimes assemble, on the bold points of the jutting rocks, many 

 of the most remarkable of which are designated by the natives with names 

 derived from the bird that haunts their pinnacles. It is only when driven 

 by hunger, that it descends into the plains, which it quits as soon as its 

 appetite is satiated, unable, as it would seem, to support for any great 

 length of time the increased weight of the atmosphere and the warmer 

 tem ature of the lower world. On such occasions, it rarely perches on 

 tne branches of the trees, but generally takes up a position on the ground, 

 for resting on which its comparatively straight talons are peculiarly fitted. 

 Jt is said that the female bird builds no nest, but deposits its eggs upon the 

 bare rock without protection of any kind. These eggs are stated to be 

 perfectly white, and three or four inches in length. The female is also said 

 to remain with her young for a whole year. 



The habits of the condor partake of the bold ferocity of the eagle, and 

 of the disgusting filthiness of the vulture. Although, like the latter, it ap- 

 pears to prefer . the dead carcass, it frequently makes war upon a living 

 prey; but the gripe of its talons is not sufficiently firm to enable it to carry 

 off its victim through the air. Two of these birds, acting in concert, will 

 frequently attack a puma, a llama, a calf, or even a full grown cow. They 

 will pursue the poor animal with unwearied pertinacity, lacerating it inces- 

 santly with their beaks and talons, until it falls exhausted with fatigue and 

 loss of blood. Then, having first seized upon its tongue, they proceed to 

 tear out its eyes, and commence their feast with these favorite morsels. 



The intestines form the second course of their banquet, which is usually 

 continued until the birds have gorged themselves so fully as to render them- 

 selves incapable of using their wings in flight. The Indians, who are well 

 acquainted with this effect of their voracity, are in the habit of turning it 

 to account for their amusement in the chase. For this purpose they expose 

 the dead body of a horse or a cow, by which some of the condors, which 

 are generally hovering in the air in search of food, are speedily attracted. 

 As soon as the birds have glutted themselves on the carcass,-the Indians 

 make their appearance, armed with the lasso, and the condors, being unable 

 to escape by flight, are pursued and caught by means of these singular 

 weapons with the greatest certainty. This sport is a peculiar favorite 

 in the country, where it is held in a degree of estimation second to that of a 

 bull-fight alone. 



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