SOUTH AMERICA. 



445 



the naked skin above and the true 

 feathers covering the body below it. 

 The condor lias been observed through- 

 out the whole range of that immense 

 chain of mountains which traverses the 

 continent of South America, from the 

 Straits of Magellan to the seventh de- 

 gree of north latitude. It appears, 

 however, to be much more common in 

 Peru and Chili than in any other part 

 of the chain, and is most frequently 

 met with at an elevation of from 10,000 

 to 15,000 feet above the level of the 

 ocean. Here, in the regions of per- 

 petual snow, they may be seen group- 

 ed together to the number of 3 or 4, 

 but never in the laige troops in which 

 the true vulture sometimes assemble 

 on the bold points of the jutting rocks, 

 many of the most remarkable of which 

 are designated by the natives with 

 names derived from the bird that haunts 

 their pinnacles. It is only when driv- 

 en by hunger, that it descends into the 

 plains, which it quits as soon as its ap- 

 petite is satisfied, unable, as it would 

 seem, to support for any great length 

 of time the increased weight of the atmosphere, and the warmer temperature of the lower 

 world. On such occasions it rarely perches on the branches of the trees, but generally takes 

 up a position on the ground, for resting on which its comparatively straight talons are pecu- 

 liarly fitted. It is said, that the female bird builds no nest, but deposits its eggs upon the bare 

 rock without protection of any kind. These eggs are stated to be perfectly white, and 3 or 

 4 inches in length. 



The King of the Vultures is unquestionably one of the handsomest, although among the smaller 

 species of the vulture family. When fully grown, it measures about 2| feet in total length, 

 ind more than twice as much in the expanse of its wings. The only other American vultures, 



Condor. 



■^'ft_ / 



King of Vultures. 



Brazilian Caracara Eaale. 



the Turkey Buzzard, and the Black Vulture, described under North America, form a distinct 

 genus nearly related to this, but differing essentially in several "mcortant points. The Brazil' 



