68 BIRDS OF THE WORLD 



portion to the great size of the bird. Little is known 

 of its habits in the wild state, but it is said to nest in 

 .the tops of tall trees, like most members of the Eagle 

 family. Individuals of this species are rarely seen in 

 captivity, and still more rarely in good condition, 

 being usually either wing-broken or injured so that 

 they do not appear to good advantage. See Plate 

 42, Fig. 241. 



The Caracara is a singular Bird of Prey found only 

 in America, one species being somewhat common in 

 our Southern States. The legs and wings are long, 

 and the plumage is brown and white. Though nearly 

 related to the Vultures, in appearance the Caracara 

 is more like the Falcons, while in disposition and gen- 

 eral habits it somewhat resembles the Crows, being 

 both inquisitive and offensive in its demeanour toward 

 other birds. It exhibits much intelligence and is 

 easily tamed. A captive Caracara in the same cage 

 with a Griffon Vulture, in a zoological park, was ob- 

 served one day suddenly to sail over the larger bird, 

 grasp it by the top of the head, and lift it completely 

 from its perch. Apparently before the astonished 

 Vulture could realise what had happened, the Cara- 

 cara was skipping proudly about in a distant part of 

 the cage. This bird exhibited great curiosity, and was 

 continually pecking at the artificial-rock formation in 

 its enclosure, moving about from place to place with 

 a strange hopping gait. While extremely restless, 

 it was entirely fearless. See Plate 42, Fig. 242. 



It has been said that, unlike all other Birds of Prey 

 of this class, the Caracara is unable to lift anything 

 from the ground with its claws, the beak being always 



