BIRDS OF PREY. 59 



is grey or reddish brown ; the cere, cheek-stripes, and the bare space around the eyes brownish 

 yellow ; the beak is light blue, and the foot orange colour. The female is larger than her mate, 

 the only other difference in appearance consisting in the comparative paleness of her coloration. 

 The feathers upon the bodies of the young birds are pointed and have light borders, those upon 

 the top of the head being of a deep brown, but with this exception their plumage is very dull and 

 faded in its appearance. 



These remarkable birds are frequently met with in pairs, wandering over the plains of South 

 America ; but they are most numerous in the extensive regions known as the Steppes or Pampas, or 

 near morasses. When seen upon the ground their appearance is striking and even beautiful ; the 

 crest is borne aloft, and each bird moves with an ease and bold bearing that might almost be termed 

 majestic. Animal food of all kinds is greedily devoured by the Caranchos, and they capture mice, 

 small birds, reptiles, snails, and insects, after the manner of Buzzards. Azara tells us that flocks of 

 sheep if not protected by the presence of a good dog, are constantly in danger of falling victims to 

 the attacks of these voracious marauders, who come down in parties of four or five upon the defence- 

 less lambs, and tear out their entrails even while still alive. 



The Caranchos, says Mr. Darwin, together with the voracious Chimangos, constantly attend 

 in numbers the estancias and slaughter-houses. If an animal dies on the plain, the Milvago begins 

 the feast, and then the Caranchos pick the bones quite clean. Besides devouring the carrion of large 

 animals, these birds frequent the borders of streams and sea-beaches to pick up whatever the waters 

 cast ashore. In Terra del Fuego and on the west coast of Patagonia they must live exclusively on 

 such supplies. The Caranchos are said to be crafty and to steal great numbers of eggs. They 

 attempt also, together with the Chimango, to pick the scabs from the sore backs of horses and mules ; 

 the poor animals on the one hand with ears down and back arched, and on the other the hovering 

 bird of prey eyeing at a distance the disgusting morsel, form a picture that has been described by 

 Captain Head with peculiar spirit and accuracy. A person will discover the necrophagous habits 

 of the Carancho by walking out upon one of the desolate plains and there lying down to go to 

 sleep ; for when he awakes he will see on each surrounding hillock one of these birds patiently 

 watching him with an evil eye. If a party goes out hunting with dogs and horses, it will be 

 accompanied during the day by several of these attendants, and in the desert between the rivers 

 Negro and Colorado, numbers constantly attend on the line of road to devour the carcases of the 

 exhausted animals which chance to perish from fatigue and thirst. 



These birds are much detested by the inhabitants of the districts where they abound, on 

 account of their raids upon the meat laid out to dry in the fields. They will also steal fowls from 

 under the very eye of the farmer, and destroy eggs in great numbers; we are told that they even 

 pursue Cranes until the unfortunates are compelled to disgorge the meat they have been seen 

 to swallow. These various attacks upon the outer world are generally returned with interest upon 

 the head of the rapacious offender, for not only other birds, but even its own species, allow no 

 opportunity for annoying or harassing it to escape their notice ; while another troublesome class 

 of enemies contributes to render the life of these disgusting birds far from enviable ; we allude 

 to the vermin with which their plumage is so infested as to render it unadvisable to touch even 

 their dead carcases. The voice of the Carancho is harsh, and has given rise to its name of 

 " Traro," as it consists of two notes — " tr-a-a-a " and " r-0-0-0," uttered in such a manner as to sound 

 like the noise made by striking two pieces of wood together, and the attitudes into which this bird 

 throws itself, whilst vociferating in this strange manner, are most laughable and eccentric. From 

 early morning till sunset, the Carancho is actively employed in the pursuit of prey; at night it 

 perches itself upon the lower branches of some ancient tree, in company with its almost inseparable 



