Cape San Antonio, Buenos Ay res. 417 



ing manner ; but the Carancho, getting over its first surprise 

 at the proceeding, was at length emboldened to step forward 

 and grasp the sacred caudal appendage with one claw ! The 

 next moment that too-curious Carancho was staggering about 

 with dishevelled plumage, tearful eyes, and a general expres- 

 sion of blank horror and amazement expressed on its Vulture- 

 like visage, while the polecat regarded it for a moment with 

 a humerous " told-you-so " air before going on its peaceful 

 way ; and I remained doubled over my horse^s neck in a posi- 

 tive ecstacy of delight at the Carancho's signal discomfiture ! 



All disabled or helpless creatures are the Carancho^s 

 favourite prey ; and rarely, if ever, does it seize any thing that 

 can show resistance. Sickly waterfowl often fall a prey to it 

 accordingly ; and in two such cases which I witnessed, the Ca- 

 ranchos did not even attempt to kill their victims, but simply 

 holding them down on the ground and plucking the feathers 

 off the back, began their repast there. The young of Cygnus 

 coscoroba suffer severely, too, I am told. 



Carrion and offal, with young birds and eggs, form its 

 general food; and notwithstanding the warfare man wages 

 against it, the number seems by no means diminished. 



Its flight is powerful, but not generally rapid, except at 

 sundown when it is returning to its nest. Then, indeed, it 

 speeds along swiftly, with quick regular beats of the wings, 

 maintaining a uniform height of a foot or two from the ground, 

 and going in a perfectly straight line. It soars also, rising 

 in spiral circles, but never so high as the Eagle [Geranoaetus 

 melanoleucus) , the Stork {Ciconia maguari), or the Chaha 

 {Chauna chavaria). When flying it looks particularly un- 

 graceful, the extremities of the wings being so square. It 

 shows most to advantage when perched on the summit of a 

 tall tree, with the head thrown back, and the whole bird 

 outlined against a deep-blue sky. The plumage of the adult 

 is very handsome ; but that of the young bird is a monotonous 

 dull brown, which, added to the livid mauve-colour of cere 

 and nostrils in the latter, is more in harmony with the ill 

 character of the species. 



They are very quarrelsome amongst themselves ; and a pair 



