CARANCHO 47 
Indian name for the Carancho in these regions 
is Trara (from its harsh cry), misspelt Tharu by 
Molina, a Spanish priest who wrote a book on the 
birds of Chili in the eighteenth century ; hence the 
specific name tharus. 
The Caranchos pair for life, and may therefore be 
called social birds; they also often live and hunt in 
families of the parent and young birds until the 
following spring ; and at all times several individuals 
will readily combine to attack their prey, but they 
never live or move about in flocks. Each couple 
has its own home or resting-place, which they will 
continue to use for an indefinite time, roosting on 
the same branch and occupying the same nest year 
after year ; while at all times the two birds are seen 
constantly together and seem very much attached. 
Azara relates that he once saw a male pounce down 
on a frog, and carrying it to a tree call his mate to 
him and make her a present of it. It was not a very 
magnificent present, but the action seems to show 
that the bird possesses some commendable qualities 
which are seldom seen in the raptorial family. 
In uninhabited places I have always found the 
Caranchos just as abundant as in the settled districts ; 
and after a deer has been pulled down by the dogs 
I have seen as many as seventy or eighty birds 
congregate to feed on its flesh within half an hour, 
although not one had been previously visible. 
D’Orbigny describes the bird as a parasite on man, 
savage and civilised, following him everywhere to 
feed on the leavings when he slays wild or domestic 
