THE BEAZILIAN KITE. 



51 



singular precaution in so tame and familiar a bird. The dealers say that the flesh of these 

 birds, when cooked, is quite white and very good eating." 



The Brazilian Kite, Caeeancha, or Beazilian Caeacara, is also a native of the 

 southern portions of America, and is found inhabiting the same localities as tlie Southern 

 Caracara, to which bird it bears 

 a considerable resemblance in 

 general appearance and in its 

 general colour. 



The Brazilian Kite is blackish- 

 brown, deepening to dull black 

 from the top of the head, and 

 varied across the neck and shoul- 

 ders with wavy bands of dark 

 brown on a greyish ground. The 

 tip of the tail is black, and the re- 

 mainder is greyish- white, traversed 

 by many narrow wavy bands of 

 dusky brown. The bill is tinged 

 with blue at the base, the claws 

 are black, and the legs yellow. 

 This bird is essentially a carrion 

 eater, following the line of road 

 in order to feed on the poor worn- 

 out animals that sink exhausted ^-« 

 on the journey, and are left to ;" 

 perish by their hard-hearted 7 

 drivers. It will watch the course 

 pursued by hunters, and in hopes 

 of obtaining the rejected x^ortions 

 of the slain animals, will follow 

 them in their expeditions with 

 as much perseverance and con- 

 fidence as is exhibited by the 

 American wolf under the same 

 circumstances. It also frequents 

 the slaughter-houses, and is of ^^ 

 gi-eat service in devouring the 

 offal, which would otherwise be 

 left to sink into putrefaction, and 

 to taint the air with its deadly 

 odour. Fortunately for the country, 

 there is but little chance of any 

 such catastrophe, as long as there 

 is a Carrancha within a radius of 

 many miles, for the keen sense of 



the bird will enable it to distinguish a feeble animal, or a dead carcass, at a wonderful 

 distance, and its insatiable appetite is never appeased as long as there is a particle of 

 flesh remaining on the bones. 



The Carrancha is often seen feeding in company with several closely-allied birds, such 

 as the Chimango Caracara, but is not on friendly terms with them, although the two birds 

 may be seated in close* proximity, engaged in their common banquet, and being employed 

 in picking the same bone. Sometimes the Carrancha is subject to a kind of small 

 persecution on the part of its temporary companion, but seems to heed its proceedings with 

 great stolidity. " When the Carrancha," says Mr. Darwin, " is quietly seated on the 

 branch cl a tree, or on the ground, the Chimango often continues for a long time flying 



E 2 



BRAZILIAN KITE.— Polybonis Braziliensls. 



