596 REPTILES AND BIRDS. 
peculiar to South America, in which they are found in every lati- 
tude and at all altitudes. They present, however, differences 
according to the region which they inhabit. Each species fixes 
itself in a zone, which becomes its special place of habitation. Thus 
the Brazilian Caracara is met with everywhere, from the coldest 
disiricts to the hottest countries, but only at a slight altitude, and in 
Fig. 280.—The Black Caracara. 
company with the Chimango Caracara (AZi/vago chimango), whilst the 
summits of the Andes are inhabited by the Long-winged Caracara 
(M. megalopterus) ; and the Chimachima Caracara (JZ. chimachima) 
inhabits the burning plains between the tropics. 
The Caracaras, especially the common species and the Chimango, 
are distinguished from the other Falconides by an excessive amount 
of sociability: everywhere they seek out the vicinity of man. But 
we should be labouring under a mistake if we supposed that affec- 
