CARRION HAWKS. 73 



in cliase of large birds, even such as herons. All 

 these facts show that it is a bird of very versatile 

 habits and considerable ingenuity. 



The Polyborus Chimango is considerably small- 

 er than the last species. It is truly omnivorous, 

 and will eat even bread ; and I was assured that 

 it materially injures the potato crops in Chiloc, by 

 stocking up the roots when first planted. Of all 

 the carrion-feeders it is generally the last which 

 leaves the skeleton of a dead, animal ; and may oft- 

 en be seen within the ribs of a cow or horse, like 

 a bird, in a cage. Another species is the Polybo- 

 rus Novaj Zelandia3, which is exceedingly common 

 in the Falkland Islands. These birds in many re- 

 spects resemble in their habits the CaiTanchas. 

 They live on the flesh of dead animals and. on ma- 

 rine productions ; and on the Ramirez rocks their 

 whole sustenance must depend on the sea. They 

 are extraordinarily tame and. fearless, and haunt 

 the neighbourhood, of houses for offal. If a hunt- 

 ing party kills an animal, a number soon collect and 

 patiently await, standing on the gi'ound on all sides. 

 After eating, their uncovered, craws are largely 

 protruded, giving them a disgusting appearance. 

 They readily attack wounded birds : a connorant 

 in this state having taken to the shore, was imme- 

 diately seized on by several, and its death hasten- 

 ed by their blows. The Beagle was at the Falk- 

 lands only during the summer, but the officers of 

 the Adventure, who were there in the winter, men- 

 tion many extraordinary instances of the boldness 

 and rapacity of these birds. They actually pounced 

 on a dog that was lying fast asleep close by one 

 of the party ; and the sportsmen had difficulty in 

 preventing the wounded geese from being seized 

 before their eyes. It is said that several togeth- 

 er (in this respect resembling the Carranchas) wait 

 G 



