108 
Total length, 30 inches; bill, 44; wing, 20; tail, 9; tarsi, 34. 
Hab. Southern, Indian, and South Pacific Oceans. 
Mr. Fraser having carefully determined the species of birds form- 
ing part of an extensive collection of subjects of natural history, 
brought to England by Mr. Bridges, laid them before the Meeting, 
and communicated the following notes from that gentleman relating 
to their habits, ranges, &c. 
Sarcoramphus gryphus, Auct. Condora and Buitre. 
‘Found in all the provinces of Chile, and very abundant in the 
elevated valleys of the Andes. Builds its nest on the shelves of in- 
accessible precipices, and lays from one to two large white eggs. 
Iris of the female dark red.” 
Cathartes Iota, Mol. Toté. 
‘This species is found in abundance along the coast of Chile ; 
also in the interior; devouring dead fish and carrion of all kinds. 
The head of the adult bird is red when alive. Iris light brown.” 
Cathartes atratus, Sw. Iotecito and Ioté de Mendoza. 
‘This bird is found on the eastern side of the Andes near Men- 
doza, and is occasionally seen in Chile in the province of Colchagua. 
The caruncles of the head are very large when alive, and black. Iris 
dark brown.” 
Haliaétus Aguia, Temm. Aguila of the Spanish, Calquin of the In- 
dians. 
‘« This bird inhabits the retired woody and mountainous parts of 
the country. It sometimes soars to a great height. Its principal 
food is partridges and domestic fowls. The young appear to accom- 
pany the old for at least six months, and depend on them till that 
age for food. I have frequently seen an eagle catch a patridge and 
carry it to its young that would be waiting on a or rock ready 
to receive it. Iris light brown; legs pale yellow; cere yellow. 
Builds its nest on the tops of trees, and lays from three to four dirty- 
white eggs.” 
Polyborus Brasiliensis, Sw. Traro and Taro. 
“ Feeds on carrion, worms, frogs and the larva of insects. It is 
common to see these birds following the ploughman, picking up 
worms, &c. in the newly broken soil. They build their nests in 
trees: the nest is composed of sticks and stems of a species of Ru- 
mex, and on the outside is a kind of platform where the male sits 
during the setting of the hen. The eggs are dirty white spotted 
with brown. Iris brown; legs and cere yellow. When pressed by 
hunger it attacks chickens.” 
Phalocobenus montanus, D’Orb. Tuique de la Cordelliera. 
«This is a very rare bird, occurring only in the valleys of the 
Andes at an elevation of from 5000 to 8000 feet. Found in pairs. 
Iris dark brown.” 
