30 ACCIPITRES. 



the galliiiaceons birds. Their food consists of car- 

 rion, worms, larvse of insects, and even the roots of 

 plants; while some frequent the. sea-shore, or the 

 borders of lakes and swamps, seeking for small fishes. 

 Sometimes they may be seen in small parties attack- 

 ing birds and other animals, especially those that 

 are in a sickly state. After they have gorged them- 

 selves with food their craws become protuberant like 

 those of Vultures. 



The type of the group — 



The Caracara {Polyhorus Braziliensis), called also the 

 Carancha, derives its vernacular name from its peculiar 

 cry, which resembles the sound of the Spanish guttural 

 G, followed by a rough double r r. This bird is about 

 the size of our common kite, and has a tail nine inches 

 in length ; it is generally met with throughout South 

 America, to which continent it is peculiar. 



The Carancha feeds indifferently upon carrion, insects, 

 or snails, and will sometimes attack new-born lambs. 

 It does not generally give chase to birds, but, on the 

 contrary, is attacked by them whenever it flies ; chickens, 

 however, are not safe from its depredations, and it will 

 even seize upon game shot by the sj^ortsmau. It is 

 rather an indolent bird, especially when gorged with 

 food, and never flies to any great height, but, on the 

 ground, it runs with facility. Along the banks of the 

 Rio de la Plata, they may be seen upon the ground 

 watching the slaughter-houses, and devouring the offal, 

 or they will track the course pursued by the hunters, in 

 hopes of obtaining the rejected portions of the animals 

 slain. They likewise frequent the sea-shore, where they 

 eat crabs, dead fish, and other garbage thrown up by the 

 waves. They have, however, heen known to kill par- 

 tridges, and during the breeding season they destroy the 

 eggs of various birds. 



Their nest is commonly built upon trees or upon the 

 ledges of rocks ; the female lays five or six eggs, which 

 are pointed at one end, and of a reddish-brown colour, 

 spotted with red. 



Under the name of the Mexican Eagle, the figure 

 of the Caracara is embroidered on the Ijanners of the 

 Mexican Government. 



