586 BIRDS. 



dor perched on a high rock before me ; I approached within mus* 

 ket shot, and fired ; but as my piece was only loaded with swan- 

 shot, the lead was not able sufficiently to pierce the bird's feathers. 

 I perceived, however, by its manner of flying, that it was wound- 

 ed ; as it rose heavily, and with a good deal of difficulty, reached 

 another rock, about five hundred yards distant, upon the shore ; I 

 therefore loaded again with a ball, and hit the bird under the throat, 

 which made it mine. I accordingly ran up to seize it ; but even 

 in death it was terrible, and defended itself on its back, with its 

 claws extended against me ; so that I scarce knew how to lay hold 

 of it. Had it not been mortally wounded, I should have found it 

 no easy matter to take it ; but 1 at last dragged it down from the 

 rock, and, with the assistance of one of the seamen, carried it to 

 the tent, to make a coloured drawing. 



" The wings of this bird, which I measured exactly, were ele- 

 ven feet four inches, from one extremity to the other : the great 

 feathers, of a beautiful shining black, were two feet two inches 

 long. The thickness of the beak was proportionable to the rest of 

 the body ; the length about four inches j the point hooked down- 

 wards, and white at its extremity, the other part being of a jet 

 black. A short down, of a brown colour, covered the head ; the 

 eyes were black, and surrounded with a circle of reddish brown ; 

 the feathers on the breast, neck, and wings, were of a light brown; 

 those on the back rather darker ; its thighs were covered with 

 brown feathers down to the knee : the thigh bone was ten inches 

 long; the leg five inches : the toes were three before and one be- 

 hind : the latter was an inch and a half long, with a single joint; 

 and the claw with which it was armed was black, and three-quar- 

 ters of an inch - f the other claws were in the same proportion j and 

 the leg and toes covered with black scales. 



u These birds usually frequent the mountains, where they find 

 their prey. They never descend to the sea shore, but in the rainy 

 season ; sensible of cold they repair there for warmth. Though 

 these mountains are situated in the torrid zone, the cold is often 

 very severe ; for throughout almost the whole year, they are co- 

 vered with snow; but especially during the winter, when it is in 

 great depth upon them. The small quantity of nourishment which 

 these birds find on the sea-coast, except when the tempest drives in 

 some of the larger fishes, obliges the condor to remain there but a 

 short time. He usually comes to the coast at the approach of 



