64 



MALDONADO. 



1832-3. 



America. To begin with the Polyhorus Braziliensis : this is 

 a common bird^ and has a wide geographical range ; it is 

 most numerous on the grassy savannahs of La Plata (where 

 it goes by the name of Carrancha)^ and is far from unfre- 

 quent throughout the sterile plains of Patagonia. In the 

 desert between the rivers Negro and Colorado^ numbers 

 constantly attended the line of road to devour the carcasses 

 of the exhausted animals which chanced to perish from fatigue 

 and thirst. Although thus common in these dry and open 

 countries^ and likewise on the arid shores of the Pacific, it 

 is nevertheless found inhabiting the damp impervious forests 

 of West Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego. The Carranchas, 

 together with the Polyborus Chimango, constantly attend in 

 numbers the estancias and slaughtering-houses. If an animal 

 dies on the plain the Gallinazo commences the feast, and 

 then the two Caracaras pick the bones clean. These birds, 

 although thus commonly feeding together, are far from being 

 friends. When the Carrancha is quietly seated on the branch 

 of a tree, or on the ground, the Chimango often continues 

 for a long time flying backwards and forwards, up and down, 

 in a semicircle, trying each time, at the bottom of the curve, 

 to strike its larger relative. The Carrancha takes little 

 notice, except by bobbing its head. Although the Car- 

 ranchas frequently assemble in numbers, they are not gre- 

 garious ; for in desert places they may be seen solitary, or 

 more commonly by pairs. Besides the carrion of large 

 animals, these birds frequent the borders of streams and sea 

 beaches, to pick up whatever the waters may cast on shore. 

 In Tierra del Fuego, and on the west coast of Patagonia, 

 they must exclusively live on such supplies. 



The Carranchas are said to be very crafty, and to steal 

 great numbers of eggs. They attempt also, together with the 

 Chimango, to pick off the scal)s from the sore backs of the 

 horses and mules. The poor animal, on the one hand, with 

 its ears down and its back arched ; and, on the other, the 

 hovering bird, eyeing, at the distance of a yard, the disgust- 

 ing morsel, form a picture, which has been described by 



