AMERICAN VULTURES. 



269 



commonly happens, have been killed by the pumas. I believe, from what I saw in 

 Patagonia, that they do not on ordinary occasions extend their daily excursions to 

 any great distance from their regular sleeping-places. The condors may often be 

 seen at a great height, soaring over a certain spot in the most graceful circles. On 



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GAUCHOS LASSOING CONDORS. 



some occasions I am sure that they do this only for pleasure, but on others, the 

 Chileno countryman tells you that they are watching a dying animal, or the puma 

 devouring its prey. If the condors glide down, and then suddenly all rise together, 

 the Chileno knows that it is the puma which, watching the carcase, has sprung 

 out to drive away the robbers. Besides feeding on carrion, the condors frequently 



