BIRDS. 



17 



Tierra del Fuego, near Cape Horn, which was twice visited daring our voyage. 

 They are not found on Georgia, or on the other antarctic islands. In many 

 respects these hawks very closely resemble in their habits the P. Brasi- 

 liensis. They live on the flesh of dead animals, and on marine productions. On 

 the Ramirez Rocks, which support no vegetation, and therefore no land-animals, 

 their entire sustenance must depend upon the sea. At the Falkland Islands 

 they were extraordinarily tame and fearless ; and constantly haunted the neigh- 

 bourhood of the houses to pick up all kinds of offal. If a hunting party in the 

 country killed a beast, these birds immediately congregated from all quarters 

 of the horizon ; and standing on the ground in a circle, they patiently awaited 

 for their feast to commence. After eating, their uncovered craws are largely 

 protruded, giving to them a disgusting appearance. I mention this particularly, 

 because M. D'Orbigny says that the P. Brasiliensis is the only bird of this family 

 in which the craw is much developed. They readily attack wounded birds ; 

 one of the officers of the Beagle told me he saw a cormorant in this state fly 

 to the shore, where several of these hawks immediately seized upon it, and 

 hastened its death by their repeated blows. I have been told that several have 

 been seen to wait together at the mouth of a rabbit hole, and seize on the animal 

 as it comes out. This is acting on a principle of union, which is sufficiently 

 remarkable in birds of prey ; but which is in strict conformity with the fact 

 stated by Azara, namely, that several Carranchas unite together in pursuit of 

 large birds, even such as herons. 



The Beagle was at the Falkland Islands only during the early autumn 

 (March), but the officers of the Adventure, who were there in the winter, mentioned 

 many extraordinary instances of the boldness and rapacity of these birds. The 

 sportsmen had difficulty in preventing the wounded geese from being seized before 

 their eyes ; and often, when having cautiously looked round, they thought they 

 had succeeded in hiding a fine bird in some crevice of the rocks, on their return, 

 they found, when intending to pick up their game, nothing but feathers. One of 

 these hawks pounced on a dog which was lying asleep close by a party, who were 

 out shooting ; and they repeatedly flew on board the vessel lying in the harbour, 

 so that it was necessary to keep a good look-out to prevent the hide used about 

 the ropes, being torn from the rigging, and the meat or game from the stern. 

 They are very mischievous and inquisitive; and they will pick up almost 

 anything from the ground : a large black glazed hat was carried nearly a mile, 

 as was a pair of heavy balls, used in catching wild cattle. Mr. Usborne 

 experienced, during the survey, a severe loss, in a small Kater's-compass, in a 

 red morocco case, which was never recovered. These birds are, moreover 

 quarrelsome, and extremely passionate ; it was curious to behold them when, 

 impatient, tearing up the grass with their bills from rage. They are not truly 



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