Ornithological and Other Oddities 



skunk, which meandered along with its tail erect 

 and in its usual happy consciousness of pesti- 

 ferousness. The pursuing bird, although it was 

 following closely on foot, evidently had its doubts 

 as to what would be the result of its meditated 

 attack, but at last opened the fight by the 

 decidedly unskilful method of grasping the 

 skunk's tail. The assaulted beast, of course, 

 at once opened fire with its scent-glands, and as 

 its discharge is as objectionable to most animals 

 as to man, the unhappy caracara had excellent 

 reason to remember skunks for the future. 



In managing its domestic affairs the caracara 

 shows the foresight and tenacity which might be 

 expected of it. It remains constant to the same 

 locality for many years, using a tree as a nesting- 

 place if one is available. But as it is most in its 

 element on the open Pampas, it often has to 

 forego this elevated situation, and then is wise 

 enough to build on a small islet if one is avail- 

 able, though, of course, such a convenience is not 

 always to be had, and the open ground has to re- 

 ceive the bulky collection of sticks, bones, and rub- 

 bish which does duty for a nest. The birds, though 

 they will keep about when the nest is robbed, 

 will hardly ever actually attack, in this strikingly 

 recalling the raven, which also will usually face 

 any foe but man under similar circumstances. 



One final point of correspondence between 



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