[Illustration: Condor Capturing Llama.]
As in the Alps and Pyrenees the Vulture and his kin reign and build
their aerie, so in the mountain heights of the South American Andes,
from the equator to the 45 degrees of latitude, the mighty Condor
reigns. He is the most powerful of all Birds of Prey, of whose mode of
living mankind has only been able during the last few years, to obtain
much accurate information. The color of his plumage is black shading
toward dark blue. The centre of the wings are white, head and throat are
almost bare, and the warty skin on both sides of the neck is red. The
red comb on the head and the white silky collar are sufficiently
characteristic of the Condor to distinguish him from other Birds of
these mountains.
The power of flight and swiftness of this Bird is altogether
extraordinary and the keenness of his sight wonderful. He, like the
other Vultures, subsists on carrion. In case of a deficiency in this
direction, he attacks herds of Lambs, Sheep and Calves and among the
various species of Llama infesting his regions he causes great
devastation, wherefore inhabitants of these mountain regions have great
aversion for him and endeavor in every possible manner to entrap and
destroy him. It is astonishing how this Bird, swaying at such tremendous
height that the naked eye can scarcely discern him, can detect carrion,
which has been thrown aside as a bait for him, or the nearness of
wounded animal, and how first one, then others, appear, of whose
presence one has previously had no inkling. When the Condor pursues an
animal, he continues the chase until either the prey, leaping over a
precipice, dashes to pieces, or he pounces upon and crushes it,
battering in its skull with his powerful bill. His principal booty as
previously mentioned, is the swift-footed though defenceless Llama. In
the illustration we see how a powerful Condor has pursued one of the
most useful of domestic animals until he has fallen exhausted, and now
proceeds to kill and consume him. In the distance hovers a comrade with
whom he will be obliged, willingly or otherwise, to share the booty.