74 ftlALDONADO. 



at the mouth of a rabbit-hole, and together seize 

 on the animal when it comes out. They were con- 

 stantly flying on board the vessel when in the har- 

 bour ; and it was necessary to keep a good look-out 

 to prevent the leather being torn from the rigging, 

 and the meat or game from the stem. These birds 

 are very mischievous and inquisitive ; they will 

 pick up almost anything from the gi'ound ; a large 

 black glazed hat was carried nearly a mile, as was 

 a pair of the heavy balls used in catching cattle. 

 Mr. Usborne experienced during the sui'vey a more 

 severe loss, in their stealing a small Kater's com- 

 pass in a red morocco leather case, which was 

 never recovered. These birds are, moreover, quar- 

 relsome and very jaassionate ; tearing up the grass 

 with their bills from rage. They are not truly gre- 

 garious ; they do not soar, and their flight is heavy 

 and clumsy; on the ground they run extremely fast, 

 very much like pheasants. They are noisy, utter- 

 ing several harsh cries, one of which is like that 

 of the English rook; hence the sealers always call 

 them rooks. It is a curious circumstance that, 

 when crying out, they throw their heads upwards 

 and backwards, after the same manner as the Car- 

 rancha. They build in the rocky cliffs of the sea- 

 coast, but only on the small adjoining islets, and 

 not on the two main islands : this is a singular pre- 

 caution in so tame and fearless a bird. The seal- 

 ers say that the flesh of these birds, when cooked, 

 is quite white, and very good eating ; but bold 

 must the man be who attempts such a meal. 



We have now only to mention the turkey-buz- 

 zard (Vultur aura) and the Gallinazo. The for- 

 mer is found wherever the country is moderately 

 damp, from Cape Horn to North America. Differ- 

 ently from the Polyborus Brasiliensis and Chiman- 

 go, it has found its way to the Falkland Islands, 



