URUBUS. 



605 



preserve the general health, and are therefore placed under the pro- 

 tection of the laws, in spite of their unpleasant aspect and their 

 unclean odour. 



"The familiarity and tameness of the Urubus," says Alcide 

 D'Orbigny, " are extreme. At the time of the distributions of meat 



Fig. 283. — Urubus. 



made to the Indians in the province of Mojos I have known them 

 snatch away the pieces as soon as the men had received them. Ay 

 one of these periodical distributions at Concepcion de Mojos, an 

 Indian told me beforehand that I should see the most impudent 

 bird possible, which was well known to the inhabitants by having 

 lost a foot. It was not long, in fact, before we saw it come up, and 

 it certainly showed all the qualities that had been attributed to it. 

 I was told/' says he, " that it was perfectly aware of the time of the 

 distribution, which took place every fifteen days in each mission. 



