URUBUS. 605 
preserve the general health, and are therefore placed under the pro- 
tection of the laws, in spite of their unpleasant aspect and their 
unclean odour. u 
“The familiarity and tameness of the Urubus,” says Alcide 
D’Orbigny, “are extreme. At the time of the distributions of meat 
Fig. 283.—Urubus. 
made to the Indians in the province of Mojos I have known them 
snatch away the pieces as soon as the men had received them. At 
one of these periodical distributions at Concepcion de Mojos, an 
Indian told me beforehand that I should see the most impudent 
bird possible, which was well known to the inhabitants by having 
lost a foot. It was not long, in fact, before we saw it come up, and 
it certainly showed all the qualities that had been attributed to it. 
I was told,” says he, “that it was perfectly aware of the time of the 
distribution, which took place every fifteen days in each mission. 
