40 NATCRALIST'S CABINET. 



Observations. 



CHAP. III. 



" The savage condor there pursues his prey 

 And itains the rocks with blood." 



THOMAS, 



THE COXDOR. 



IF size and strength combined with rapidity of 

 flight and rapacity were deserving of pre-emi- 

 nence, no bird could stand in competition with 

 the condor; as it possesses in a higher degree 

 than the eagle all the qualities that render it for- 

 midable not only to the smaller species of birds, 

 but to quadrupeds, and even to man himself. 



The wings of this animal extend to the dimen- 

 sions of eighteen feet ; the body, bill, and talons 

 are proportionably large and strong ; the throat 

 js naked, and of a red colour. ,The upper parts 

 in some individuals, are variegated with black, 

 grey, and white ; and the belly is in general, of ^ 

 fine scarlet. The head of a condor that was shot 

 at Port Desire, off Penguin Island, nearly resem- 

 bled that of an eagle ; except that it was adorne4 

 a large comb. The neck was encircled with 

 I 



