132 BIRDS OF LA PLATA 



to believe that they do not fight sometimes^ since 

 weapons of offence are usually found correlated with 

 the disposition to use them. Captive birds, however, 

 can be made to fight ; and I have known gauchos 

 take them for the pleasure of witnessing their battles. 

 They are very easily tamed, and in that state seem 

 to show greater docility and intelligence than any 

 of our domestic birds ; and become so attached to 

 their home that it is quite safe to allow them to fly 

 about at will. They associate, but do not quarrel, 

 with the poultry. They are quick to distinguish 

 strangers from the people of the house, showing 

 considerable suspicion of them, and sometimes rais- 

 ing a loud alarm at a stranger's approach. Towards 

 dogs and cats they are often unfriendly ; and when 

 they are breeding it is dangerous for a strange person 

 to approach the nest, as they will sometimes attack 

 him with the greatest fury. 



The Screamer is a very heavy bird, and rises from 

 the ground laboriously, the wings, as in the case of 

 the Swan, making a loud noise. Nevertheless it loves 

 soaring, and will rise in an immense spiral until it 

 wholly disappears from sight in the zenith, even in 

 the brightest weather; and considering its great 

 bulk and dark colour, the height it ultimately attains 

 must be very great. On sunny, windless days, es- 

 pecially in winter and spring, they often spend hours 

 at a time in these sublime aerial exercises, slowly 

 floating round and round in vast circles, and singing 

 at intervals. How so heavy and comparatively short- 

 winged a bird can sustain itself for such long periods 



