C6x ) 
VIII. An Account of a prodigioHfly large Fea- 
ther of the Bird Cuntur , brought from 
Chili, and fuppofed to be a h}nd of Vultur , 
and of the Coffee-Shrub. By Hans Sloane, 
M.D. S.R.S. 
THE Magnitude afcribed to the Cmtur of Peru\ 
as well as its great force and ftrength, have been 
the caufe that many have doubted its Being. Capt. John 
Strongs G)mmander of a Ship which went into the South 
Seas, through the Straights of Magellan^ and returned 
after 23 Months Voyage in the Year 1691. gave me 
this Account, together with a Wing or Quill-Feather of 
the Bird,- That on the Coaft of Chili they had met 
with this Bif:d in about 33°. S.Lat. not far from Mocha^ 
an Ifland in the South Seas, and before they came at a 
place called Herradura : That his Men were very much 
amazed at the bignefs of it, and that after they had 
killed it, it was 16 Foot from Wing to Wing extended. 
The Spanijh Inhabitants there told them, it was the 
Cuntur, and that they were afraid of thefe Birds, left 
they (hould Prey on , or injure their Children. The 
Feather he gave me is z Foot 4 Inches long, the Quill- 
part is 5- Inches | long, an Inch and f about in the largeft 
part, which is of about l Inch Diameter ; it weighed 
3 Drams 17 Grains and {, and was of a dark brown co- 
jour,very hollow or concave on one fide,and convex on 
the other. The Seamen (hot it fitting on a ClifF by 
the Sea-fide, and eat it, not being very nice, and taking 
it for a fort of Turkey, which I fuppofs they did on 
fome fimilitude there was between this and Turkeys; in 
which miilake likewife the firft cpmers to Jamaica were 
K with 
