Page:The Zoologist, 3rd series, vol 2 (1878).djvu/177

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CONDOR HUNTING ON THE SIERRAS.
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second example, a male, was captured and brought to him. This specimen is now in the Museum at Copenhagen.

Puffinus major.— Miiller seems to think that this species is becoming more common around the Faeroe Islands than formerly. An example was procured on the 12th June, 1875, another on the 7th July, and a third on the 4th August, 1877, all three being females.

CONDOR HUNTING ON THE SIERRAS.

By E.W. White, F.Z.S.[1]

During a late three-months' residence on these life-giving hills, my mind was made up to organize a naturalist's expedition into the region of the king of the skies. Pitching my head-quarters at Cosquin, on the first range, distant N.W. from Cordova thirtyfive miles, and with the kind aid of Don Enrique Cooke, of that place, arrangements were soon completed for the purpose, and we accordingly started from his house on the morning of the 14th January, 1878, at about 8 a.m. Our party consisted of two native gentlemen and myself, mounted on horses, with two peons mounted on mules carrying, besides their riders, bedding and other necessaries. A good sportsman would have despised our arms, indeed, but not the panniers, which were loaded with the good things of this life. My rifle being unserviceable, on account of damp ammunition, another gentleman lent me his, but unfortunately could produce only three cartridges, the remaining shooting-iron being a double-barrelled fowling-piece, besides a small revolver stuck in my belt. Well might we look forward with some anxiety to the result of our attack, with such slender means at our disposal; but having heard of the skill of the native with the lasso, we determined to proceed, and the sequel will show how that formidable weapon is more than a match for this enormous and powerful vulture.

Our route lay through the village of Cosquin, across the river, and proceeding for a league on the high road to San Juan, we then branched off eastwards. Here we penetrated the woods of

  1. From 'The Standard and River Plate News,' February 28th and March 1st, 1878. Published at Buenos Ayres.