132 BIRDS OF LA PLATA 
to believe that they do Kr fight sometimes, since 
weapons of offence are usually found correlated with 
the disposition to use them. Captive birds, however, 
can be made to fight; and I have known gauchos 
take them for the pleasure of witnessing their battles. 
They are very easily tamed, and in that state seem 
to show greater docility and intelligence than any 
of our domestic birds; and become so attached to 
their home that it is quite safe to allow them to fly 
about at will. They associate, but do not quarrel, 
with the poultry. They are quick to distinguish 
strangers from the people of the house, showing 
considerable suspicion of them, and sometimes rais- 
ing a loud alarm at a stranger’s approach. Towards 
dogs and cats they are often unfriendly ; and when 
they are breeding it is dangerous for a strange person 
to approach the nest, as they will sometimes attack 
him with the greatest fury. 
The Screamer is a very heavy bird, and rises from 
the ground laboriously, the wings, as in the case of 
the Swan, making a loud noise. Nevertheless it loves 
soaring, and will rise in an immense spiral until it 
wholly disappears from sight in the zenith, even in 
the brightest weather; and considering its great 
bulk and dark colour, the height it ultimately attains 
must be very great. On sunny, windless days, es- 
pecially in winter and spring, they often spend hours 
at a time in these sublime aerial exercises, slowly 
floating round and round in vast circles, and singing 
at intervals. How so heavy and comparatively short- 
winged a bird can sustain itself for such long periods 
