270 



NATURAL HISTORY OF BIRDS. 



daily on a small limb, and so, although they do sometimes roost on trees, they much 

 prefer to rest and sleep on bare rocks and the ledges of sheer precipices. 



They are said to be such sound sleepers that they are easily caught with a noose 

 while roosting at night. Although frequently descending to the plains at the foot of 

 the mountains for food, their favorite haunts are among the peaks of the higher 

 Andes, not rarely above the line of perpetual snow, and they rise easily above the 



JfiG. 128. Sarcorkcaupktu yryphus, condor. 



highest peaks, sweeping in graceful circles far above the snow-capped volcanoes, or 

 gliding thence in a few seconds almost to the sea level and the torrid heat of the 

 plains. 



Although they feed mostly on carrion, they are equally fond of fresh meat, and 

 often kill lambs, goats, and the young of cattle and deer. Probably the guanaco and 

 vicuna furnish a goodly share of their food. They watch from an immense height 

 the movements of the puma, and, as soon as he withdraws satisfied from his dead 

 game, descend and speedily finish what remains. 



