2030 THE DIURNAL BIRDS OF PREY 



peaks of the Andes, from whence they suddenly descend to the level of the plains,, 

 but the observations of Mr. Whymper have shown that this is incorrect. In the 

 neighborhood of Chjmborazo that traveler never observed these birds anywhere 

 near the mountain summits, whence he concludes that the upper limit of their ordi- 

 nary range cannot be more than sixteen thousand feet; while in the same district 

 they do not appear to descend below some nine thousand feet. Since, however, con- 



u\-> 



MALE AND FEMALE CONDORS. 

 (One-sixth natural size.) 



dors in Patagonia are commonly seen at the sea level, it is probable that there is an 

 upland and a lowland race, and that the same birds do not range from the level of the 

 sea to elevations of sixteen thousand feet. In regard to their habits when on the 

 wing, Mr. Whymper writes that "on the few occasions upon which we were ap- 

 proached by condors in a menacing manner, we became aware of their presence from 

 their shadows being cast upon us by a nearly vertical sun. They never came near 



