388 TROPICAL BIRDS OF PREY 



through the rarefied atmosphere without any perceptible vibra- 

 tory motion of his wings. " Near Lima," says Mr. Darwin, " I 

 watched several condors for nearly half an hour without once 

 taking off my eyes. They moved in large curves, sweeping in 

 circles, descending and ascending without once flapping. As they 

 glided close over my head, I intently watched from an oblique 

 position the outlines of the separate and terminal feathers of 

 the wing ; if there had been the least vibratory movement 

 these would have blended together, but they were seen distinct 

 against the blue sky. The head and neck were moved frequently 

 and apparently with force, and it appeared that the extended 

 wings formed the fulcrum on which the movements of the neck, 

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

 were for a moment collapsed, and then, when again expanded 

 with an altered inclination, the momentum gained by the rapid 

 descent seemed to urge the bird upwards with the even and 

 steady movement of a paper kite." 



According to Humboldt and D'Orbigny, the condor is a con- 

 temptible coward, whom the stick of a child is able to put to 

 flight. Far from venturing to attack any full-grown, larger 

 animal- — the lama, the ox, or even man, as former travellers 

 asserted — he feeds, like other vultures, only upon dead carcases, 

 or on new-born lambs and calves, whom he tears from the side of 

 their mothers. He thus does so much damage to the herds, that 

 the shepherds pursue and kill him whenever they can. As even a 

 bullet frequently glances off from his thick feathery coat, the 

 natives never use fire-arms for his destruction, but make use 

 of various traps, of the sling, or of the bolas, which they are 

 able to throw with such marvellous dexterity. 



In the Peruvian province of Abacay, an Indian provided 

 with cords conceals himself under a fresh cow's skin, to which 

 some pieces of flesh are left attached. The condors soon pounce 

 upon the prey, but while they are feasting, he fastens their 

 legs to the skin. This being accomplished, he suddenly comes 

 forth, and the alarmed birds vainly flap their wings, for other 

 Indians hurry towards them, throw their mantles or their lassos 

 over them, and carry the condors to their village, where they are 

 reserved for the next bull-fight. 



For a full week before this spectacle is to take place, the bird 

 gets nothing to eat, and is then bound upon the back of a bull 



