THE CONDOR. 



THE Condor is an inhabitant of South Amer- 

 ica. It belongs to the vulture tribe, and in size 

 considerably exceeds the largest eagle. The 

 wings, when expanded, have sometimes been 

 found to extend to eighteen feet ; but from ten 

 to thirteen feet seems to be the usual measure. 

 The great wing feathers, which are of a shining 

 black, are two feet four inches long. The 

 strength and size of its body, bill, and talons, 

 are in proportion, and its courage equals its 

 muscular powers. The throat is naked and of 

 a red hue. A short down of a brown colour 

 clothes the head, and its eyes are surrounded 

 with a circle of reddish brown. The plumage 

 on the breast, neck, and wings, is of a light 

 brown; that on the back rather darker, and 

 sometimes of a jet black. The legs, which are 

 strong and large, are covered with black scales, 

 and the toes are armed with claws of the same 

 colour. 



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