THE CONbOtt. 41 



Description Prodigious strength. 



a white ruff, somewhat like a lady's tippet. The 

 feathers on the back were as black as jet, and 

 perfectly bright ; the legs were remarkably strong 

 and large; the talons like those of an eagle; and 

 the wings, when extended, measured twelve feet 

 from point to point. Two specimens, supposed 

 to be a male and female, were deposited a few 

 years since in the Leverian Museum; on the 

 breast they had a kind of pendulous pear-shaped 

 Substance. The male measured ten feet from tip 

 to tip of the wings. 



From the following account given by Father 

 Feuillee, we may form some idea of this animal's 

 prodigious strength. " The condor," says he, 

 " is a bird of prey that inhabits the valley of Ylo 

 in Peru. I discovered one that was perched 

 upon a great rock : I approached it within mus- 

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

 loaded with swan-shot, the lead could not do 

 much more than pierce its feathers. I perceived, 

 however, from its motions, that it was wounded: 

 for it rose heavily, and could with difficulty reach 

 another great rock, five hundred paces distant, 

 upon the sea-shore. I therefore charged my 

 piece with a bullet, and hit the bird under the 

 throat. I then saw that I had succeeded, and 

 ran to secure the victim: but it struggled obsti- 

 nately with death; and, resting upon its back, 

 repelled my attempts with its extended talons. 

 I was at a loss on what si/de to lay hold of it ; 



VOL. II. JNO. XVI. f 



