. Reptiles and birds : a popular account of the various orders; with a description of the habits and economy of the most interesting . cient to break its victims skull. In order torender these assertions worthy of belief they should be confirmedby those who have enjoyed opportunities for observation. Be this as it may, there is no doubt that Harpies are endowedwith extraordinary strength. DOrbigny relates that at the timeof an exploring expedition on the banks of the Rio Securia, inBolivia, he met with a Harpy of large size. The Indians whoaccompanied him pursued it, pierced it with two arrows
. Reptiles and birds : a popular account of the various orders; with a description of the habits and economy of the most interesting . cient to break its victims skull. In order torender these assertions worthy of belief they should be confirmedby those who have enjoyed opportunities for observation. Be this as it may, there is no doubt that Harpies are endowedwith extraordinary strength. DOrbigny relates that at the timeof an exploring expedition on the banks of the Rio Securia, inBolivia, he met with a Harpy of large size. The Indians whoaccompanied him pursued it, pierced it with two arrows, and gaveit numerous blows on the head. At length, thinking it was dead,they plucked off the greater part of its feathers, and even thedown also, placing it afterwards in their canoe. What was thesurprise of the naturalist when the bird recovered from its stupe- THE WHITE-BELLIED EAGLE. 60< faction, darted upon him, and burying its claws in his arm, inflictedmost dangerous wounds! The interference of the Indians wasnecessary in order to rid him of his antagonist. The Harpy inhabits the great forests of South America situated. Fig. 284.—The Harpy [Harpyia destructor, Cuv.). on the banks of the rivers. Its food consists of agoutis, fawns,sloths, and especially monkejS. The Indians, who highly estimate warlike qualities, hold thisbird in great respect, and consider it most valuable. Its tailand wing feathers they use to adorn themselves with on stateoccasions. The White-bellied Eagle [Cuncuma leucogaster), so calledbecause its plumage is white underneath, has points of similarityto the Eagle, the Sea Eagle, and the River Osprey. It is two 608 EAPTOEES, OR BIRDS OF PREY. feet in height, and its spread of wings is five feet. It is verycommon all over Europe, and is only too well known to thevillagers on whose poultry-yards it frequently leaves heavy also feeds on moles, field-mice, reptiles, adders, and sometimesinsects. It bears captivity very well. Buffon reared one w
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecad, booksubjectbirds, booksubjectreptiles
