418 Mr. E. Gibson on the Ornithology of 



once came tumbling down into the lucerne patch fighting 

 with such blind fury that they allowed one of the workmen 

 to run up and despatch them both. Any wounded individual 

 is set upon and killed by the others, two or three instances 

 of which I have seen. 



All night, except in the breeding-season, they roost on 

 the summits of the largest or most isolated trees about the 

 woods, sometimes as many as half a dozen together. When 

 Biscacho-shooting on moonlight nights I have frequently shot 

 them so. 



The Carancho is a wary individual, but only shy when it 

 sees a gun. Of a horseman it entertains no fear, and in the 

 camp will hardly move out of his way, allowing him some- 

 times to pass within a few yards ; but a human being on 

 foot is regarded with suspicion, whether armed or not. 



On the hot summer days it takes its siesta, like everybody 

 else, choosing the shadow of a thistle in the plains, or con- 

 gregating in or under the trees in the outskirts of any wood. 



It pairs for life, but, with the exception of the breeding- 

 season, is semigregarious in its habits, like the Vultures, 

 between which and the true Raptores it forms the connect- 

 ing link. 



The cry is generally written traro, traro, and has been 

 aptly likened to the jarring or grating sound of two pieces 

 of wood rubbed against each other. I have heard it fully 

 half a mile away. Usually, when giving utterance to it, the 

 head is thrown or bent back till it touches the centre of the 

 back. In both these respects the male and female are iden- 

 tical. It has also a shriller and higher modification of the 

 above cry, which it only uses when assaulted by a stronger 

 fellow, or when wounded by a shot, and expresses sudden 

 terror or pain. 



Breeding -Notes. — The Carancho breeds principally in the 

 months of September, October, and November; but I have 

 frequently taken eggs as early as the 20th of August, and 

 as late as the 1st of December. It nests both in trees and 

 swamps, and occasionally on the ground. In the two former 

 cases the nest is used year after year, till in many cases it 



