62 A BOOK OF BIRDS 



The Condor (Plate IX. fig. i) is a near relative of the King 

 Vulture, but greatly superior in size. It enjoys the distinction, in- 

 deed, of being not only the largest of the birds of prey — being about 

 five feet in length — but one of the largest flying birds. 



The head of the male is adorned with a great fleshy wattle, which 

 surmounts the base of the beak. 



Though commonly described as living in the Andes, this bird is 

 met with also from the mouth of the Rio Negro on the east coast 

 of Patagonia, through the Straits of Magellan, and along the Cor- 

 dilleras. It feeds upon carrion, but shows a marked liking for fresh 

 meat when this can be procured, though it never apparently kills 

 for itself. Like other Vultures, Condors, when they come upon a 

 large carcase, gorge themselves, and this so completely that flight 

 for some hours is impossible. Darwin has described how, at such 

 times, the Gauchos ride them down on horse-back and take them 

 with the lasso. 



