ORNITHOLOGY. 



alone were to constitute superiority, it might be truly de- 

 nominated the King of Birds. 



The Vultures in general differ from the Eagles in 

 being of a heavier or less active character ; in ferocity how- 

 ever and the untamable disposition of their nature, they 

 are by no means inferior. 



The Condor Vulture, the largest known at present is 

 found only in South America, and has made its name 

 terrible to the Natives by the attacks which it sometimes 

 makes upon living animals, and in some cases even upon 

 the human species. Some writers have confidently affirmed 

 that it has been known to carry away Children where an 

 opportunity has offered ; and two of these birds have been 

 seen to attack a full-grown heifer, and ultimately destroy it, 

 by tearing it in pieces. 



This curious Bird has a singular pouch placed under 

 the lower mandible, of a blue colour, and reaching down 

 the neck ; it has also several fleshy appendages on each side 

 of the throat, diminishing in size as they descend. Below 

 the principal crest, which is large and upright, is a smaller 

 one distinct and beset with coarse down. The crest is of a 

 dark grey, and on the front of the neck is a pendent pearl- 

 shaped tubercle ; there is also a beautiful tippet of white 

 fur forming an elegant collar round the neck, with the 

 feathers turned back, and the claws are strongly hooked. 



Since this bird was first exhibited in England, Mon- 

 sieur Humboldt has published his Account of the Condor 

 Americanus, and he mentions having frequently met with, 

 them on the Andes and Cordilleras Mountains in Peru. 

 The young birds are entirely destitute of feathers, being 

 covered with a fine whitish down, but which is full as thick 



