VULTURES. 597 



tion had any share in this alliance ; for self-interest is the sole motive 

 which impels them to act thus. It is to feed at his expense, to 

 devour the fragments of his meals, kill his domestic fowls, or take 

 possession of the pieces of meat which are hung in the sun to dry. 

 This bird, however, is useful, for it most efficiently performs the duties 

 of scavenger. 



The Caracara will craftily follow the sportsman, and steal away 

 game that is not quickly bagged. It also accompanies travellers 

 across the vast pampas to prey on the carcases of the worn-out 

 beasts of burden. It will even attack horses and mules which 

 are galled by the pack-saddle, fastening greedily on their wounds, 

 and would actually devour them alive if the quadrupeds had not 

 the sagacity to dislodge them by rolling on the ground. It will 

 also take up its abode near flocks of sheep, and if it can evade the 

 watchfulness of the shepherd, will destroy the newly-born lamb. 



Having confidence in its own strength, the Caracara frequently 

 pursues other birds, especially vultures and gulls, which it forces to 

 disgorge their food. It will even engage in sanguinary conflicts 

 with its own species for the possession of prey. Contrary to the 

 habit of most birds in a state of freedom, it remains constantly 

 paired, without, however, having more than one or two broods a 

 year. The Caracara lays two eggs ; the nest is generally placed on 

 the ground among brushwood. 



Besides the four species we have mentioned there is also the 

 Caracara funebris (Fig. 280), thus named on account of its plumage, 

 which is almost entirely black. This bird is still more of a plunderer 

 than the preceding species, and is a native of the shores of Tierra del 

 Fuego, the Falkland Isles, Van Diemen's Land, New Zealand, &c. 



VULTURES. 



The Vultures (Vulturida) form a well-marked order, which is 

 readily distinguished from the Falcons by the following characteristics : 

 A beak almost entirely straight, and curved only at its extremity ; 

 the head and neck generally devoid of feathers ; small and staring 

 eyes ; head small ; tarsi generally bare ; toes short and slightly 

 curved ; weak claws ; and wings very long. They are also dis- 

 tinguished from holding themselves in a horizontal position, whether 

 walking or at rest ; whereas the Falcons stand erect, and present a 

 noble bearing. Vultures probably adopt their attitude on account 

 of the length of their wings, which even in a stooping position sweep 

 the ground, and would drag much more but for this precaution. 



