180 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



speaks of killing a male bird on the nest, which was in a low tree and 

 composed of sticks. He adds that this hird destroys the Texas field-rats 

 {Sigmodon berlandieri) in large numbers. 



Dr. Heerraann met with this species on the Colorado Eiver, near Fort 

 Yuma, in company witli the Cathartes atira. He found it so shy that it was 

 impossibje to procure a specimen. He found it along the Gila River, and 

 again met with it in Texas wherever there were settlements. At San Anto- 

 nio, wherever there were slaughter-houses, he met with them in great num- 

 bers, twenty or tliirty being often seen at a time. 



Grayson gives the Caracara as quite abundant in the Tres Marias. Al- 

 though it subsists mainly on dead animals and other offal, it is said to some- 

 times capture .young birds, lizards, snakes, and land-crabs. It generally 

 carries its prey in its beak ; but Colonel Grayson states that he has seen it 

 also bear oft' its food in its claws, as Hawks do. It walks with facility 

 on the ground, and was often met with in the thick woods, walking about in 

 search of snakes. Mr. Xantus found it nesting at Cape San Lucas, placing 

 its nest on the top of the Ccrcus giganteus. It occurs also in the West Indies, 

 especially in the island of Cuba, where it is known to breed. Eggs were 

 obtained and identified by the late Dr. Berlandier, of Matamoras, in North- 

 ern Mexico, on the Rio Grande, in considerable numbers. 



Mr. Salvin (Ibis, I, 214) says the Caracara is universal in its distribution 

 in Central America, appearing equally abundant everywhere. At Duenas it 

 was a constant resident, breeding on the surrounding liills. Its food seemed 

 to consist largely of the ticks that infested the animals. In Honduras Mr. 

 G. C. Taylor found them very common, quite tame, and easily shot. They 

 feed on carrion and offal, were often seen scratcliing among the half-dry 

 cow-dung, and are " a very low caste bird." Mr. E. C. Taylor (Ibis, VI, 79) 

 frequently saw this bird on the shores of the Orinoco. It was very tame, 

 and generally allowed a near approach, and when disturbed did not fly far. 

 He did not meet with it in Trinidad. 



On the Rio Grande the popular name of this species is Totache, while in 

 Chile tlie P. tliarus is called Traro, but its more common name throughout 

 South America is Carrancha. 



According to Audubon, the flight of this bird is at great heights, is more 

 graceful than that of the Vulture, and consists of alternate flapping and 

 sailing. It often sails in large circles, gliding in a very elegant manner, now 

 and then diving downwards and then rising again. 



These birds feed on frogs, insects, worms, young alligators, carrion, and 

 various other forms of animal food. Mr. Audubon states that he has seen 

 them walk about in tlie water in search of food, catcliing frogs, young alli- 

 gators, etc. It is harmless and inoffensive, and in the destruction of vermin 

 renders valuable services. It builds a coarse, flat nest, composed of flags, 

 reeds, and grass, usually on the tops of trees, but occasionally, according to 

 Darwin, on a low cliff", or even on a bush. 



