196 



Birds. 



THE CONDOR, (Vultur gryphus.) 



THIS bird measures three or four feet long, and its wings, 

 when expanded, from ten to twelve feet. Its bill and 

 talons are exceedingly large and strong ; and its courage 

 is equal to its strength. The throat is naked, and of a 

 red colour. The upper parts in some individuals (for 

 they differ greatly in colour) are variegated with black, 

 gray, and white, and the body is scarlet. Bound the 

 neck it has a white ruff of loose hairy feathers. The 

 feathers on the back are generally quite black, and 

 perfectly bright. These enormous birds, which are in- 

 habitants of South America, breed among the highest 

 and most inaccessible rocks. The female makes no 

 nest, but lays two white eggs, somewhat bigger than 

 those of a turkey, on the bare rock. Some writers have 

 affirmed that a Condor can carry off a sheep in its claws, 

 and others that it has carried off children in the same 

 manner ; but these tales are manifestly absurd, as the 



