8r>2-r..] CARRION HAWKS. 57 



ing this cry it elevates its head higher and higher, till at last, 

 with its beak wide open, the crown almost touches the lower part 

 of the back. This fact, which has been doubted, is quite true ; 

 I have seen them several times with their heads backwards in a 

 completely inverted position. To these observations I may add, 

 on the high authority of Azara, that the Carrancha feeds on 

 worms, shells, slugs, grasshoppers, and frogs ; that it destroys 

 young lambs by tearing the umbilical cord ; and that it pursues 

 the Gallinazo, till that bird is compelled to vomit up tlie carrion 

 it may have recently gorged. Lastly, Azara states that several 

 Carranchas, five or six together, will unite in chace of large 

 birds, even such as herons. All these facts sliow that it is a bird 

 of very versatile habits and considerable ingenuity. 



The Polyborus Chimango is considerably smaller than the 

 last species. It is truly omnivorous, and will eat even bread ; 

 and I was assured that it materially injures the potato-crops in 

 Chiloe, by stocking up the roots when first planted. Of all 

 the carrion-feeders it is generally the last which leaves tlie 

 skeleton of a dead animal ; and may often be seen within the 

 ribs of a cow or horse, like a bird in a cage. Another species 

 is the Polyborus Novae Zelandiae, which is exceedingly common 

 in the Falkland Islands. These birds in many respects resemble 

 in their habits the Carranchas. They live on the flesh of dead 

 animals and on marine productions; and on the Ramirez rocks 

 their whole sustenance must depend on the sea. They are extra- 

 ordinarily tame and fearless, and haunt the neighbourhood of 

 liouses for oflfal. If a hunting party kills an animal, a number 

 soon collect and patiently await, standing on the ground on all 

 sides. After eating, their uncovered craws are largely pro- 

 truded, giving them a disgusting appearance. They readily 

 attack wounded birds : a cormorant in this state having taken to 

 the shore, was immediately seized on by several, and its death 

 hastened by their blows. The Beagle was at the Falklands only 

 during the summer, but the officers of the Adventure, who were 

 there in the winter, mention many extraordinary instances of 

 the boldness and rapacity of these birds. They actually pounced 

 on a dog that was lying fast asleep close by one of the party ; 

 and the sportsmen had difficulty in preventing the wounded 

 geese from being seized before their eyes. It is said tliat several 



