GUADALUPE CARACAKA 139 



Dr. Bryant (1887) writes: 



Being of an unsuspicious character, they will allow a person to walk directly 

 towards them until within shooting distance, merely watching the intruder until 

 the distance becomes less than agreeable. If they happen to be upon the ground 

 they beat a retreat at an awkward walk or, if necessary, a run, taking wing only 

 as a last resort, and even then flying but a short distance before alighting. Their 

 actions, gait, and positions, while on the ground are similar to those of a buzzard. 

 In flight, the light color on the primaries is distinctly shown. 



During several consecutive days, a "Queleli" came to my camp, searching for 

 scraps of food. One day I saw him making off, at a walk, from the cook house, 

 carrying with him a piece of bone from the leg of a goat, and upon which a little 

 raw meat still adhered. With this bone, fully nine inches in length, grasped firmly 

 in his bill, he retired to what he considered a safe distance before commencing 

 his feast. 



As far as my observations went, the birds were entirely silent, but the agent 

 informed me that when perchance a rifle ball carried away a wing or a foot, the 

 unfortunate bird would scream long and loudly. If the wounded creature hap- 

 pened to be in company with others of his kind, he would be immediately attacked 

 and killed. One which was badly wounded attempted to escape by running, with 

 the assistance of his wings. Being overtaken and brought to bay, instead of throw- 

 ing himself on his back in an attitude of defence, or uttering a cry for quarter, 

 he raised his crest and with an air of defiance, calmly awaited death as became the 

 Eagle of Guadalupe. Weakened by the loss of blood which poured from a wound 

 in his throat, he finally fell forward and died — silent and defiant to the last. 



Voice. — Dr. Palmer's notes (Ridgway, 1876) state: "When surprised 

 or wounded they emit a loud, harsh scream, something like that of 

 the Bald Eagle. In fighting among themselves, they make a curious 

 gabbling noise; and under any special excitement the same sounds are 

 given forth, with an odd motion of the head, the neck being first 

 stretched out to its full length and then bent backward till the head 

 almost rests upon the back. The same odd motions are made and 

 similar noises emitted when the birds are about to make an attack 

 upon a kid." 



DISTRIBUTION 



Range. — Formerly Guadalupe Island. Now extinct. 



