64 PATAGONIAN EXPEDITIONS : NARRATIVE. 



feet above the dead animal, the limbs and feet were dropped suddenly 

 downward to their full length, there was a slight quivering motion, better 

 described perhaps as a tremor of the wings, and the great bird settled 

 slowly downwards until the feet came in contact with the carcass, when 

 the wings were stretched slowly to their greatest expanse and then care- 

 fully and slowly closed upon the sides. After alighting in this some- 

 what deliberate manner, a moment was given to a survey of the immediate 

 surroundings, either for the purpose of detecting an enemy, or perhaps to 

 confer most gracious recognition upon those other members of the 

 feathered tribe who had at his approach by common accord moved off 

 and now stood at a respectful distance, patiently awaiting the pleasure of 

 this monarch of the air as he occupied not only the head, but all of the 

 table at this most bounteous feast. This survey completed and having 

 apparently convinced himself that all was plain sailing, he strode quietly 

 up and down the body of the animal, once or twice, as though to select 

 the most advantageous position, then coming to a standstill with the legs 

 far apart and one foot planted firmly on the hip and the other on the side 

 he commenced a most vigorous, even furious attack upon the carcass, 

 using his great sharp and hooked beak as a weapon. Almost instantly a 

 hole was made through the flank and into the abdominal cavity, where at 

 each stroke with the powerful beak considerable sections of the intestines 

 and other organs were torn out and eagerly devoured. After watching 

 this performance for a few moments I bethought me of my Winchester, and 

 mindful of what an excellent specimen he would make to adorn the orni- 

 thological hall of the new museum at Princeton (when some friend of 

 that institution should find it in his heart to give the funds necessary 

 for the construction of that much-needed building), I took the trusty 

 weapon, adjusted the sights for a two hundred yard range, threw a cart- 

 ridge from the magazine into the barrel, and raising it to my shoulder 

 drew a fine sight and touched the delicate trigger. Instantly a sharp re- 

 port rang out and resounded across the stretch of shingle and over the 

 river which lay beyond. The great bird sprang suddenly upward with 

 one convulsive start, then fell and lay quite dead alongside the lifeless 

 body of the guanaco. When I arrived on the scene after leaving my 

 place of concealment, neither the report of my rifle, the death of the con- 

 dor, nor my presence among them had any but a temporary effect upon 

 the carranchas. During my inspection of the condor after its death, these 



