COLOR OF THE CO MX) I!. 



13 



celebrated as a Goliath among birds, the expanse of its wings being set down at eighteen or 

 twenty feet, and its strength exaggerated in the same proportion. In reality, the expanse of 

 a large Condor s wing will very seldom reach eleven feet, and the average extent is from eight 

 to nine feet. In one specimen, where the measurement of the extended wings was only eight 

 feet one inch, the longest quill feather of tlie wings was two feet two inches in length ; the 

 diameter of the body was nine inches, and the total length from the i)oint of the beak to the 

 extremity of the tail, was three feet two inches. 



The general color of the Condor is a grayish-black, variable in deijtli and glossiness in 

 different individuals. The upper wing coverts are marked with white, which take a grayer 



CONDOR. Sarcar/iamphus gryphus. 



tint in the female, and the exterior edges of the secondaries are also white. The adult male 

 bird may easily lie distinguished by the amount of white upon the feathers, so that the wings 

 are marked with a large white patch. Around the neck is set a beautifully white downy collar 

 of soft feathers, which does not entirely inclose the neck, but leaves a small naked band in 

 front. This featheiiess band is, however, so small, that it is not perceptible except by a 

 close examination. 



The crest of the male Condor is of considerable size, occupying the top of the head and 

 extending over a fourth of the basal portion of the beak. The nostrils are intersected at the 

 base of the beak, in a space which is created for them by means of the sudden sloping of the 

 crest. Although the crest of the Condor presents an apparent analogy with the wattles of 

 a turkey, it cannot be inflated at pleasure, as is the case with that bird, but is hard of sub- 

 stance and contains but few blood-vessels. As the Condor, when at rest, is in the habit of 

 sinking its head upon its shoulders, and concealing the neck within the collar of white dowu 



