THE VULTURE. 129 



III., p. 10, under the genus "Fleshy Beaked,") of which 

 the annexed figure 1 represents the head; and guessing 

 that they were attracted by some dead animal, rode up, 

 and found a numerous flock round the carcase of a horse. 

 One of the largest was standing with one foot on the 

 ground, and the other in the horse's body, exhibiting a 

 singular force of muscular power, as he lifted the flesh 

 and tore off great pieces, sometimes shaking his head, 

 and pulling with his beak, or sometimes pushing with 

 his leg. As the man approached, one of them, which 

 appeared to be gorged, rose up, and flew about fifty 

 yards off, when it alighted, and he rode up to it, and 

 then jumping down, seized the bird by the neck. The 

 contest was severe, and never probably was such a battle 

 seen before, as a Cornish miner and a Condor. The 

 man declared he never had had such a trial of strength 

 in his life, that he put his knee upon the bird's breast, 

 and tried with all his might to twist its neck, but that 

 the Condor, objecting to this, struggled most violently, 

 and he fully expected that several others which were 

 flying over his head would take part against him, and 

 assist their companion. At length, however, he suc- 

 ceeded, as he supposed, and carrying off the pinion- 

 quills in triumph, left the bird for dead; but so tenacious 

 are they of life, and so difficult to kill, that another 

 horseman who passed the spot some time after, found it 

 still living and struggling. 



Figure 1. 



