68 



CHARLES DARWIN 



and I was assured that it materially injures the potato-crop§ 

 in Chiloe, by stocking up the roots when first planted. Of 

 all the carrion-feeders it is generally the last which leaves 

 the skeleton of a dead animal, and may often be seen within 

 the ribs of a cow or horse, like a bird in a cage. Another 

 species is the Polyborus Novse Zelandise, which is exceed- 

 ingly common in the Falkland Islands. These birds in many 

 respects resemble in their habits the Carranchas. They live 

 on the flesh of dead animals and on marine productions; and 

 on the Ramirez rocks their whole sustenance must depend 

 on the sea. They are extraordinarily tame and fearless, and 

 haunt the neighborhood of houses for offal. If a hunting 

 party kills an animal, a number soon collect and patiently 

 await, standing on the ground on all sides. After eating, 

 their uncovered craws are largely protruded, giving them a 

 disgusting appearance. They readily attack wounded birds: 

 a cormorant in this state having taken to the shore, was 

 immediately seized on by several, and its death hastened 

 by their blows. The Beagle was at the Falklands only 

 during the summer, but the officers of the Adventure, who 

 were there in the winter, mention many extraordinary in- 

 stances of the boldness and rapacity of these birds. They 

 actually pounced on a dog that was lying fast asleep close 

 by one of the party ; and the sportsmen had difficulty in pre- 

 venting the wounded geese from being seized before their 

 eyes. It is said that several together (in this respect resem- 

 bling the Carranchas) wait at the mouth of a rabbit-hole, 

 and together seize on the animal when it comes out. They 

 were constantly flying on board the vessel when in the har- 

 bour ; and it was necessary to keep a good look out to prevent 

 the leather being torn from the rigging, and the meat or 

 game from the stern. These birds are very mischievous and 

 inquisitive; they will pick up almost anything from the 

 ground; a large black glazed hat was carried nearly a mile, 

 as was a pair of the heavy balls used in catching cattle. Mr. 

 Usborne experienced during the svirvey a more severe loss, 

 in their stealing a small Kater's compass in a red morocco 

 leather case, which was never recovered. These birds are, 

 moreover, quarrelsome and very passionate; tearing up the 

 grass with their bills from rage. They are not truly grega- 



