70 WHAT MR. DARWIN SAW. 



PERU. 



not believe a space of the heavens of more than fifteen de- 

 grees above the horizon is commonly viewed with any atten- 

 tion by a person, either walking or on horseback. If such 

 be the case, and the vulture is on the wing at a height of 

 between three and four thousand feet, before it could come 

 within the range of vision its distance in a straight line from 

 the beholder's eye would be rather more than two British 

 miles. Might it not thus readily be overlooked? When an 

 animal is killed by the sportsman in a lonely valley, may he 

 not all the while be watched from above by the sharp-sight- 

 ed bird ? And will not the manner of its descent proclaim 

 throughout the district to the whole family of carrion-feeders 

 that their prey is at hand ? 



When the condors are wheeling in a flock round and 

 round any spot, their flight is beautiful. Except when rising 

 from the ground, I do not recollect ever having seen one of 

 these birds flap its wings. Near Lima, I watched several 

 for nearly half an hour, without once taking off my eyes: 

 they moved in large curves, sweeping in circles, descending 

 and ascending without giving a single flap. As they glided 

 close over my head, I intently watched from an oblique posi- 

 tion the outlines of the separate and great terminal feathers 

 of eacli wing ; and these separate feathers, if there had been 

 i the least vibratory movement, would have appeared as if 

 blended together; but they were seen distinct against the 

 blue sky. The head and neck were moved frequently, and 

 apparently with great force; and the outstretched wings 

 seemed to form the fulcrum on which the movements of the 

 neck, body, and tail acted. If the bird wished to descend, 



