180 NORTH AMKUICAX BIRDS. 



speaks of killing a male bin! on the nest, which was in a low tree and 

 composed of sticks. He adds tliat tliis bird destroys the Texas field-rats 

 {Sigmudoii herl(indirri) in large numbers. 



Dr. lleerniann met witli this species on the Colorado Eiver, near Fort 

 Yuma, in company witli the Catharks aura. lie found it so shy that it was 

 impossible to jirocure a specimen. He found it along the Gila liiver, and 

 again met with it in Texas wlierever there were settlements. At San Anto- 

 nio, wherever there were slaugliter-houses, he met with them in great num- 

 bers, twenty or thirty being often seen at a time. 



Grayson gives the Garacara as quite abundant in the Tres Jlarias. Al- 

 though it subsists mainly ou dead animals and other offal, it is said to some- 

 times capture young birds, lizards, snakes, and land-crabs. It generally 

 carries its prey in its beak ; but Colonel Grayson states that he has seen it 

 also bear off its food in its claws, as Hawks do. It walks with facility 

 on the ground, and was often met with in the thick woods, walking about in 

 search of snakes. Mr. Xantus found it nesting at Cape San Lucas, placing 

 its nest on the top of the Cci-eiis gigantens. It occurs also in the West Indies, 

 especially in the island of Culia, where it is known to breed. Eggs were 

 obtained and identified liy tlie late Dr. Berlandier, of Matamoras, in North- 

 ern Mexico, on the Eio Grande, in considerable numbers. 



Mr. Salvin (Ibis, I, 214) says the Caracara is universal in its distriljution 

 iu Central America, appearing equally abundant everywhere. At Duenas it 

 was a constant resident, breeding on the surrounding liiUs. Its food seemed 

 to consist largely of the ticks that infested the animals. In Honduras Mr. 

 G. C. Taylor found them very common, quite tame, and easily shot. They 

 feed on carrion and ofl'al, were often seen scratching among the half-dry 

 cow-dung, and are " a very low caste l>ird." Mr. E. C. Taylor (Ibis, VI, 79) 

 frequently saw tliis bird ou the shores of the Orinoco. It was very tame, 

 and generall}' allowed a near approach, and when disturbed did not fly far. 

 He did not meet with it in Trinidad. 



On the Eio Grande tlie popular name of this species is TotacJtc, while in 

 (_'hile the I', tharus is called Tram, 1jut its more common name throughout 

 South America is Carrancha. 



According to Audubon, the flight of this bird is at great heights, is more 

 graceful tlian that of the A'ldture, and consists of alternate flapping and 

 sailing. It often sails in large circles, gliding in a very elegant manner, now 

 and then diving downwards and then rising again. 



These liirds feed on frogs, insects, worms, young alligators, carrion, and 

 various other forms of animal food. IMr. Audubon states that he has seen 

 them walk about in tlie water in search of food, catching frogs, young alli- 

 gators, etc. It is harndess and inoffensive, and in the destruction of vermin 

 renders valuable services. It builds a coarse, flat nest, composed of flags, 

 reeds, and grass, usnaUv on the tops of trees, but occasionally, according to 

 Darwin, on a low clifi', or even on a bush. 



