Ill 
CARRION HA WKS 
59 
last species. It is truly omnivorous, and will eat even bread ; 
and I was assured that it materially injures the potato-crops 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 Novae Zelandiae, which is exceedingly 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 ex¬ 
traordinarily tame and fearless, and haunt the neighbourhood 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 pro¬ 
truded, 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 Falk- 
lands only during the summer, but the officers of the Adventure , 
who were there in the winter, mention many extraordinary 
instances 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 preventing 
the wounded geese from being seized before their eyes. It is 
said that several together (in this respect resembling 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 harbour ; 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 survey a more severe loss, in their stealing a small Rater’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 gregarious ; they do not soar, and their 
