SOUTH AMERICAN CONDOR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15557, 14 March 1914, Page 5 (Supplement)

SOUTH AMERICAN CONDOR.

CAPTURE BY HERDSMEN

The South American condor,' though not a beautiful bird, would appear to have picturesque attribute* when viewed in its natural surroundings. A traveller describes the great bird as follows :— : :'/f "It seemed peculiarly fitting that 1 while I stood'in the presence, of this ,King of the Cordilleras, a *?ndor, the' greatest'of flying birds, should 'sail athwart the peak in his solitary flight of the skies. In the Zoo at -Buenos Aires are several condors in captivity, and a- close inspection of these great. Andean .•vultures was far- from pleasing. But here in the vast mountain fastness, the home of the condor and the abode of snowy silence, the presence of this great moody bird seemed altogether appropriate and strictly in keeping with the clime. The condor is equally at home in this benumbing atmosphere above the clouds and in the hot plains below. Indeed, it is a matter of some surprise to such naturalists as Humbolt to find that this great bird will sweep down from the regions of perpetual snow and ice to the tropical belt to feed without suffering anyill effects from his change of over a hundred degrees in temperature in as many minutes. The ' Clulanos ' resort to a curious method of capturing the condor, for these vultures often create havoc among a flock of sheep or young llamas on the Andean grazing slopes. Several Chilanos conceal themselves under the skin of a freshly killed ox, arranged to represent a dead animal. The skin is provided with numerous slits through which the watching ChiJano may pass his hand. The condor soon discovers what seems to him an inviting carcass and at once reconnoitres. He conveys this information to his friends after he has decided that the carcass is there, and a joyous time is. anticipated. But as soon as the condor folk settle on the empty skin a dozen hands shoot out of the slits and as many condors are captured. A tremendous "rough house " follows, but the hardy Chile herders hold on, though often in danger of being bodily lifted into the air by the combined strength of the condors, and by the aid of an accomplice or two who rush from a nearby place of concealment the mighty birds are finally despatched and the herds are thus lessened of just so many of their natural enemies. The tough cowhide acts as a sort of a shield to the Chilanos while the condors on the other side are being beaten to death.''