REMARKABLE ANIMALS. 21 



When surprised out of their burrows, they roll themselves up 

 in the form of a ball, and easily escape detection from their 

 enemies, but not from man, who secure them very easily. 

 Its flesh, which is white and tender, is exquisite to eat. They 

 are only found in the tropical countries of America. In the 

 the old World, they are represented by the Manidae, or 

 Pangolins. 



Amongthe Chilian birds, the most remarkable species is the 

 Condor, Sarcoramphus gryphns, belonging to the family of 

 Vulturidœ. This giant bird is a native of the Andes, choosing 

 its breeding place between an altitude from 10,000 to 16,000 

 feet ; but they are also seen frequently on the coast, especi- 

 ally when in search of carrion. Flocks are never seen except 

 around a large carcase. Otherwise they are met singly, 

 soaring at great height in vast circles. Its flight is slow and 

 majestic. Its head is constantly in motion as in search of 

 food. To rise from the ground, it must needs run for some 

 distance, then it flaps its wings three or four times, and 

 ascends at a low angle, till it reaches a considerable elevation, 

 when it seems to make a few leisurely strokes, as if to ease 

 its wings, and moving in large curves it glides along without 

 the least apparent vibratory motion. In walking the wings 

 trail on the ground, and it has a very aw^kward gait. W^hen 

 well gorged with food, it is slow in its movements and stupid, 

 and is easily captured. Although a carrion bird, it also feeds 

 on calves, sheep, dogs, or the like, when it has the chance. 

 It has been said and written that children have been carried 

 away by this bird ; but I doubt that any authenticated case 

 has ever been proved. 



They are most commonly seen standing on rocks, around 

 vertical cliffs, where their nests are. It lays two white eggs, 

 three or four inches long, on an inaccessible ledge. It makes 

 no nest proper, but places a few sticks around the eggs. It 

 is verv difflcult to o-et at them, and thev are still rare in the 

 collections. Incubation occupies about seven weeks, and 

 takes place in the months of April and May. The young at 

 birth are scarcely covered with a dirty white dovrn, and it 

 takes a considerable time before they can fly. No one has 

 ever been able to state satisfactorily how long thev are fed by 

 their parents, but it is probable that it is not much shorter than 

 a year. They are as downy as goslings until they nearly equal 

 in size a full growm bird. During all that time they are very 

 voracious, and the parents are constantly chasing for their 

 support. 



