1832-3.] CARRION HAWKS. 57 
ing this cry it elevates its heal higher and higher, till at last, 
with its beak wide open, the crown almost touches the lower part 
of the back. This fact, which has been doubted, is quite true ; 
I have seen them several times with their heads backwards in a 
completely inverted position. To these observations I may add, 
on the high authority of Azara, that the Carrancha feeds on 
worms, shells, slugs, grasshoppers, and frogs; that it destroys 
young lambs by tearing the umbilical cord ; and that it pursues 
the Gallinazo, till that bird is compelled to vomit up the carrion 
it may have recently gorged. Lastly, Azara states that several 
Carranchas, five or six together, will unite in chace of large . 
birds, even such as herons. All these facts show that it isa bird 
of very versatile habits and considerable ingenuity. 
The Polyborus Chimango is considerably smaller than the 
last species. It is truly omnivorous, and will eat even bread ; 
and I was assured that it materially injures the potato-crops in 
Chiloe, by stocking up the roots when first planted. Of all 
the carrion-feeders it is generally the last which leaves the 
skeleton of a dead animal; and may often be seen within the 
ribs of a cow or horse, like a bird ina cage. Another species 
is the Polyborus Nove Zelandiz, which is exceedingly common 
in the Falkland Islands. These birds in many respects resenible 
in their habits the Carranchas. They live on the flesh of dead 
animals and on marine productions; and on the Ramirez rocks 
their whole sustenance must depend on the sea. They are extra- 
ordinarily tame and fearless, and haunt the neighbourhood of 
houses for offal. If a hunting party kills an animal, a number 
soon collect and patiently await, standing on the ground on all 
sides. After eating, their uncovered craws are largely pro- 
truded, giving them a disgusting appearance. They readily 
attack wounded birds: a cormorant in this state having taken to 
the shore, was immediately seized on by several, and its death 
hastened by their blows. The.Beagle was at the Falklands only 
during the summer, but the officers of the Adventure, who were 
there in the winter, mention many extraordinary instances of 
the boldness and rapacity of these birds. They actually pounced 
on a dog that was lying fast asleep close by one of the party ; 
and the sportsmen had difficulty in preventing the wounded 
geese from being seized before their eyes. It is said that several 
