184 Mr. Ambrose A. Lane — Field-Notes 



-f 63. Cathartes aura (Linn.). 



(Enops aura, Sliarpe, B. M. C. i. p. 25. 



(Corral.) 



This bird is numerous on the coast in North and Central 

 Chilij and is distributed generally inland and throughout 

 the greater part of the continent. I observed it in the 

 south as far as I went, but from Valparaiso south it 

 decreases^ and C. atratus becomes more plentiful. In Tara- 

 paca I observed it up to 5000 feet, but did not hear of 

 its occurrence in higher regions. 



It is properly called the " Jote/' but is constantly looked 

 upon as the same species as C. atratufs, and called " Galli- 

 nazo," especially where both intermingle. 



When these birds cannot find carrion they seek for refuse 

 on the sea-beach, disputing fish-remains with Gulls and other 

 sea-birds. They appear to be entirely mute, but possess 

 remarkable faculties of sight and smell. 



-v- 64. Cathartes atratus (Bartr.). 



Catharistes atratus, Sharpe, B. M. C. i. p. 24. 



(Laraqueti.) 



This species is similar to the foregoing in all respects, 

 and resembles it in appearance ; but is more numerous in 

 south temperate Chili. It is called the " Gallinazo,^' from 

 gallina=a, hen, to which, when on the ground, they have 

 some resemblance, at least to a distant observer. It nests 

 in the forests of the southern provinces, where it is more 

 arboreal in habits than on the coast. 



In Ancud (Chiloe) these birds may be seen sitting in 

 rows on the house-tops all through the town. The further 

 south I went the more numerous they became on the coast. 

 Both species are very harmless and useful, especially 

 C. aura in the northern districts, where their presence as 

 scavengers is indispensable. In the south it is not so 

 necessary, and they are always assisted by Polyborus tharus 

 and Milvago chimango. 



65. Sarcorhamphus gryphus (Linn.). 



Sarcorhamphus gryphus, Sharpe, B. M. C. i. p. 20. 



I saw Condors in Tarapaca, but never got close to them. 



