280 



THE CONDOR. 



Although not exceeding the Laramergeyer in dimensions, the CoN« 

 DOR has long been celebrated as a giant among birds, the expanse of 

 its wings being set dowii at eighteen or twenty feet, and its length ex- 

 aggerated in the same proportion. In reality, the expanse of a large 

 Condor's wings will very seldom reach eleven feet, and the average ex- 

 tent is from eight to nine feet. 



The general color of the Condor is a grayish black, variable in depth 

 and glossiness in different individuals. The upper wing-coverts are 



marked with 

 white, which 

 take a grayer tint 

 in the female, 

 and the exterior 

 edges of the sec- 

 ondaries are also 

 white. The 

 adult male bird 

 may easily be 

 distinguished by 

 the amount of 

 white upon the 

 feathers, so that 

 the wings are 

 marked with a 

 large white 

 patch. Around 

 the neck is set a 

 beautifully white 

 downy collar of 

 soft feathers, 

 2^ wliich does not 

 g entirely inclose 

 ^ t h e neck, but 

 fe leaves a small 

 naked band in 

 The Young Male Condor. front. This 



featherless band is, however, so small that it is not perceptible except 

 by a close examination. 



The crest of the male Condor is of considerable size, occupying the 

 top of the head and extending over a fourth of the basal portion of 

 the beak. 



The Condor is an inhabitant of the mountain-chain of the Andes, 

 and is celebrated not only for its strength and dimensions, but for its 

 love of elevated localities. When enjoying the unrestricted advantages 



