::::::::ae TWO BIRD-LOVERS IN MEXICO M^- 



in ;i low, hawk-like attitude, the crest rose and fell 

 nervously, and the eyes were bright and piercing ; 

 but when sated with food and resting, it seemed 

 wholly another bird. The position was then very up- 

 riglit, the head drawn down, the eyes half closed, 

 and when all the cactus tops in sight were thus sur- 

 mounted, the effect was most singular. The senses of 

 the Caracaras seemed not so keen as those of the vul- 

 tures, and the former birds were, in a sense, partly 

 parasitic on their ignoble associates, — the vultures, 

 — followino- and watchino- them closelv. When some 

 prey was spied, the Caracaras forcibly took the first 

 and best share. 



There was great excitement among the vultures and 

 Caracaras when the dead skunk was discovered, some 

 distance from our camp. A great number collected 

 at once, but were rather shy about approaching the 

 dreaded animal. The Caracaras led the way and 

 walked slowly toward the skunk, when, suddenly 

 seized with terror, they turned and ran off at full gal- 

 lop, spreading the alarm and scattering the whole mob 

 of vultures. At last hunger overcame all prejudice 

 and they attacked the carcass. To my surprise a pair 

 of skunks unexpectedly appeared at this moment, and 

 trotted quickly out from the underbrush. Thev rushed 

 at the feathered scavengers, who fled in wild dismay, 

 this time taking to the tree-tops. The skunks stamped 

 angrily and sniffed at their dead companion, and then 



<i- "29^ ^ 



