14. STRENGTH OF THE CONDOR. 



The general colour of the Condor is a gi-eyish-black, variable in depth and glossiness 

 in different individuals. The iipper M'ing coverts are marked with white, which take a 

 greyer tint in the female, and the exterior edges of the secondaries are also wliite. The 

 adult male bird may easily be distinguished by the amount of white upon the feathers, 

 so that the wings are marked with a large white patch. Around the neck is set a 

 beautifully white downy collar of soft feathers, which does not entirely inclose the 

 neck, but leaves a small naked band in front. This featherless band is, however, so small, 

 that it is not perceptible except by a close examination. 



The crest of the male Condor is of considerable size, occupying the top of the head and 

 extending over a fourth of the basal portion of the beak. The nostrils are intersected at the 

 base of the beak, in a space which is created for them by means of the sudden sloping of the 

 crest. Although the crest of the Condor presents an apparent analogy Avith the wattles 

 of a turkey, it cannot be inflated at pleasure, as is the case with that bird, but is hard of 

 substance and contains but few blood-vessels. As the Condor, when at rest, is in the haliit 

 of sinking its head upon its shoulders, and concealing the neck within the coUar of white 

 down by which it is surrounded, the aspect of the bird is very curious, as it sits with its 

 large hooked beak and projecting crest lying on the shoulders as if it possessed no neck 

 at all. 



There are several curious details in the internal structure of the Condor, among wliich 

 may be mentioned the remarkable fact that its " gizzard " is furnished with longitudinal 

 rows of horny spikes, which are probably intended to aid the creature in the more rapid 

 comminution and digestion of its food. 



The Condor is an inhalntant of the moimtain chain of the Andes, and is celebrated 

 not only for its strength and dimensions, but for its love of elevated localities. TVlien 

 enjoying the unrestricted advantages of its native home, it is seldom found lower than 

 the line of perpetual snow, and only seems to seek lower and more temperate regions 

 when driven by hunger to make a raid on the flocks or the wild quadrupeds of its native 

 country. Although preferring carrion to the flesh of recently killed animals, the Condor is 

 a terrible pest to the cattle keeper, for it will frequently make a united attack upon a cow 

 or a bull, and by dint of constant worrying, force the poor beast to succumb to its winged 

 pursuers. Two of these birds will attack a vicugna, a deer, or even the formidable 

 puma, and as they direct their assaults chiefly upon the eyes, they soon succeed in 

 blinding their prey, who rapidly falls under the terrible blows which are delivered by 

 the beaks of its assailants. 



The strength of the Condor is really prodigious, a powerful man being no match even 

 for a wounded and tethered bird ; and its tenacity of life is such, that a combat of endurance 

 is nearly certain to end in favour of the Condor. Himiboldt relates a curious anecdote 

 of a Condor that resisted a series of efforts that were made in order to deprive it of life. In 

 vain w^as it strangled for many minutes, for as soon as the noose was removed from its neck 

 the bird walked about as composedly as if nothing had happened to it. At last a pistol 

 was brought to bear upon it, and three bullets were fired from a distance of four paces, 

 all fairly entering the body. A fourth ball struck against the leg bone and rebounded 

 without doing much apparent harm. In spite of all the wounds which it had received, 

 this poor bird survived for nearly half an hour. 



The Indians are possessed with a strange prejudice against the Condor, and whenever 

 they catch one of these birds alive, they put it to death through the medium of the most 

 cruel tortures. Their mode of captming so powerful a bird is worthy of notice, as it is 

 based upon the habits of the Condor. A cow or a horse is killed, and the body thrown 

 negligently on one side, so as to be exposed to the open air. In a very short time the 

 Condors begin to assemble, and soon are engaged in feeding voraciously upon the 

 unexpected and welcome banquet. As soon, however, as they have gorged themselves to 

 the full, the Indians dash in among them, armed with their lassos, and make easy captives 

 of the finest birds. When they feel the noose around their necks, the Condors 

 endeavour to eject the huge meal which they have swallowed, but are made hopeless 

 prisoners before they can rid themselves of the enormous mass of food wliich they have 

 contrived to pack into their interiors. 



