The URUBITINGA (_Hypomorphnus Urubitinga_) is one of the largest Buzzards
with which we are acquainted. Its beak is comparatively short, high,
and straight towards the base, but from thence it curves downwards in
a long hook; the head is large, the wings, in which the third quill is
longer than the fourth and fifth, are of moderate size; the tail is very
long, and composed of broad feathers. The feet are remarkably high, the
tarsi being twice the length of the middle toe; the talons are strong,
pointed, and much bent. The plumage is rich in texture. The cheeks,
region of the eyes, bridles, and throat are sparsely covered with a
bristle-like growth; the eyelids have very well developed eyelashes.
The length of this species is about twenty-two inches, and its breadth
fifty-one inches; the wing measures fifteen and a half, and the tail nine
inches; the female is larger than her mate. In old birds the plumage is
principally brownish black; the feathers on the nape are white at their
origin, and those on the back gleam with a greyish blue lustre, whilst
such as clothe the inner side of the legs are marked with small light
streaks. The wings are blackish brown adorned with narrow greyish blue
lines; the tail-feathers are blackish brown at the root and tip, white
in the middle, and surrounded by a narrow dirty white border. The eye
is brownish yellow, the cere and base of the lower mandible yellow, the
upper part of the beak greyish black, the feet light yellow. The young
are yellow or brownish yellow; the feathers upon the hinder parts have
blackish brown spots at their tips, and the wings and tail-feathers are
striped with yellow and brown.
The Urubitinga is, without question, the noblest and most courageous
member of its family, and, according to the Brazilians, is a very
dangerous foe to monkeys, small quadrupeds, birds, lizards, and snakes;
it also eagerly devours grasshoppers and snails; in order to obtain these
it prefers to make its home in the forests, upon the outskirts of which
it loves to linger; it is occasionally, but rarely, seen in the open
country. The Prince von Wied tells us that he has often found this bird
perched in the branches of some thickly-foliaged tree, surrounded by a
host of feathered tormentors, who were doing their best to excite it to
frenzy; these amiable endeavours, however, had no visible result; the
nobler bird sat still, tranquilly pursuing its meditations, apparently
quite unconscious that it was the subject of their gibes and raillery.
The flight of the Urubitinga is majestic, and capable of being long
sustained; its voice is very shrill, and composed of but two notes. The
eyrie is usually constructed upon such inaccessible trees as grow near
the banks of a river. We learn from Burmeister that the eggs, two in
number, are elongated, and white, spotted with various shades of reddish
brown.
* * * * *
The VULTURE FALCONS (_Polybori_) are a family of birds inhabiting South
America. Their bodies are slender, their wings comparatively short, their
tails long, broad, and rounded at the extremity; the tarsi are high and
thin, the toes weak and of moderate size, the claws pointed and but
slightly curved; the beak is long, straight towards its base, hooked at
its tip, and straight at the margins. The plumage is harsh, and composed
of large feathers; those upon the head are pointed. The cheek-stripes
are _always_, the throat and brow _occasionally_ bare; the eye has long
lashes.
The members of this family may be regarded as holding in South America
the place occupied in Europe by the Raven, Magpie, and Crow. They
frequent all parts of the country in large numbers, and live in such
close proximity to man, that they are literally found at his very door.
Two species of this group are particularly fond of the society of the
human race, and are met with throughout the land, on every spot where
even the smallest settlement has been established; others frequent
the sea-coast, upon which they obtain the means of subsistence; and
some inhabit the woods, feeding, in a great measure, upon fruits and
berries. Carrion and offal have, however, the greatest attractions for
the Vulture Falcons, and wherever these are to be met with hundreds
are certain to appear. The flight of these birds is so peculiar as to
cause them to be recognised even at a great distance; in consequence of
the equal length of the quills, the wings appear square when extended,
and the tail is kept fully spread, whilst they travel through the air
with a slow, sweeping kind of stroke; occasionally, however, they fly
with considerable rapidity. When upon the ground their gait closely
resembles that of the True Vulture. The sight and hearing of this family
are keen, and their other senses tolerably acute; that of smell they
certainly possess, and the nostrils are always moist. In disposition
they are bold and insolent, and would willingly be extremely social;
their shrill Hawk-like cry, however, renders it undesirable to cultivate
their intimate acquaintance. Their nest is built upon the ground or on
the branches of trees; the eggs, from two to six in number, are round,
and spotted like those of Falcons. Both parents assist in the cares of
incubation, and are much attached to their young. Although extremely
numerous in their native land these birds are but seldom brought to
Europe, and are therefore always numbered amongst the rarities of our
zoological collections.