The New Student's Reference Work/Condor

Condor, a very large bird of prey, living in South America, usually among the peaks of the Andes. It at one time was considered the largest bird of prey, but several species of the Old World are larger, and the Californian vulture reaches the same size. Before they were actually measured by Humboldt, fabulous stories were told in regard to their size and carrying-power. They were said to reach 30 or 40 feet in stretch of wing and to carry away sheep and children in their claws; but the toes are comparatively straight and the claws are blunt and not fitted for grasping. There is no authentic case of animals having been carried away by the condor. This structure of the foot makes it difficult for them to perch on trees and they prefer the bare rocks. They are sound sleepers, and may be caught with a noose while roosting. The plumage is a glossy black, with broad white bars across the wings and a collar or ruff of snow-white down around the neck. The latter is naked, and covered with wrinkled dull-red skin. They feed mostly on carrion, but are also fond of fresh meat and kill lambs, the goat and the young of cattle and deer. The white eggs are laid on inaccessible rocks, and the young cannot fly for about a year. They continue to hunt and roost with their parent for two years longer. Their plumage is brownish, and they have been called brown condors.

CONDOR