CARRION HAWKS. 71 



by the name of Can'ancha), and is far from unfre- 

 quent throughout the sterile plains of Patagonia. 

 In the desert between the rivers Negro and Colo- 

 rado, numbers constantly attend the line of road 

 to devour the carcasses of the exhausted animals 

 which chance to perish from fatigue and thirst. 

 Although thus common in these dry and open 

 countries, and likewise on the arid shores of the 

 Pacific, it is nevertheless found inhabiting the damp 

 impervious forests of West Patagonia and Tien-a 

 del Fuego. The CaiTanchas, together with the 

 Chimango, constantly attend in numbers the estan- 

 cias and slaughtering-houses. If an animal dies 

 on the plain, the Gallinazo commences the feast, 

 and then the two sjiecies of Polyborus pick the 

 bones clean. These birds, although thus common- 

 ly feeding together, are far from being friends. 

 "When the Carrancha is quietly seated on the 

 branch of a tree or on the ground, the Chimango 

 often continues for a long time flying backwards 

 and forwards, up and down, in a semicircle, trying 

 each time at the bottom of the curve to strike its 

 larger relative. The Carrancha takes little notice, 

 except by bobbing its head. Although the Car- 

 ranchas frequently assemble in numbers, they are 

 not gregarious ; for in desert places they may be 

 seen solitaiy, or more commonly by pairs. 



The CaiTanchas are said to be very crafty, and 

 to steal great numbers of eggs. They attempt, 

 also, together with the Chimango, to pick off the 

 scabs from the sore backs of horses and mules. 

 The poor animal on the one hand, with its ears 

 down and its back arched; and, on the other, the 

 hovering bird, eyeing at the distance of a yard 

 the disgusting morsel, form a picture, which has 

 been described by Captain Head with his own. 

 peculiar spirit and accuracy. These false eagles 



