The zoology of the voyage of H.M.S. Beagle [vol. 3 of 5] : $b BirdsGould, John
Science
The zoology of the voyage of H.M.S. Beagle [vol. 3 of 5] : $b Birds
Gould, John
Beagle Expedition (1831-1836); Birds; Zoology
The _Milvago leucurus_ is exceedingly numerous at the Falkland Islands,
and, as an old sealer who had long frequented these seas remarked to me,
this Archipelago appears to be their metropolis. I was informed, by the
same authority, that they are found on the Diego Ramirez Rocks, the Il
Defonso islands, and on some others, but never on the mainland of Tierra
del Fuego. This statement I can corroborate to a certain degree, since I
never saw one in the southern part of Tierra del Fuego, near Cape Horn,
which was twice visited during our voyage. They are not found on
Georgia, or on the other antarctic islands. In many respects these hawks
very closely resemble in their habits the _P. Brasiliensis_. They live
on the flesh of dead animals, and on marine productions. On the Ramirez
Rocks, which support no vegetation, and therefore no land-animals, their
entire sustenance must depend upon the sea. At the Falkland Islands they
were extraordinarily tame and fearless; and constantly haunted the
neighbourhood of the houses to pick up all kinds of offal. If a hunting
party in the country killed a beast, these birds immediately congregated
from all quarters of the horizon; and standing on the ground in a
circle, they patiently awaited for their feast to commence. After
eating, their uncovered craws are _largely_ protruded, giving to them a
disgusting appearance. I mention this particularly, because M. D’Orbigny
says that the _P. Brasiliensis_ is the only bird of this family in which
the craw is much developed. They readily attack wounded birds; one of
the officers of the Beagle told me he saw a cormorant in this state fly
to the shore, where several of these hawks immediately seized upon it,
and hastened its death by their repeated blows. I have been told that
several have been seen to wait together at the mouth of a rabbit hole,
and seize on the animal as it comes out. This is acting on a principle
of union, which is sufficiently remarkable in birds of prey; but which
is in strict conformity with the fact stated by Azara, namely, that
several Carranchas unite together in pursuit of large birds, even such
as herons.
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