24 



BIRDS OF PREY. 



sea-shore, or the borders of lakes and swamps, seeking for small 

 fishes. Sometimes they may be seen in little parties attacking 

 birds and other animals, especially those that are in a sickly state. 

 After they have gorged themselves with food their craws become 

 protuberant like those of vultures. 



Fig. 12.— The Br.\zihan Kite {Pohbonts Btaziiu-nsh). 



The type of the group — 



The Caracara {Polyborzis Bt aziliensis), called also the Cara?icha, derives 

 its vernacular name from its peculiar cry, which resembles the sound of the 

 Spanish guttural G, followed by a rough double r r. This bird is about the 

 size of our common kite, and has a tail nine inches in length ; it is generally 

 met with throughout South America, to which continent it is peculiar. 



The Carancha feeds indifferently upon carrion, insects, or snails, and will 

 sometimes attack new-born lambs. It does not generally give chase to birds, 

 but, on the contrary, is attacked by them whenever it flies ; chickens, how- 

 ever, are not safe from its depredations, and it will even seize upon game shot 

 by the sportsman. It is rather an indolent bird, especially when gorged with 

 food, and never flies to any great height, but on the ground it runs with 

 facility. Along the banks of the Rio de la Plata many may be seen upon the 



