the hide which protects the hunter, the latter would be very
apt to come off with the loss of an eye, or be otherwise dreadfully torn
by the powerful beak of the bird. When the hunter has fairly secured
his prize, he passes a leathern thong through its nostrils, and knotting
it firmly, leads the condor off in triumph. In this same manner the
bird is kept chained, so long as he is wanted. With the string through
his nostrils, and fastened by the other end to a picket-pin in the
ground, the captive can walk about freely within the area of a circle.
Sometimes forgetting that he is chained, he attempts to fly off; but, on
reaching the end of his string, the sudden jerk brings him to the ground
again; and he invariably falls upon his head!"

"But how is it," inquired Francois, "since the condors are hunted in
this way, and so easily captured, that they are not long since
exterminated? They are so large, that any one can see them at a great
distance; and they can be easily approached, I believe; yet there are
still great flocks of them--are there not?"

"You are quite right," answered Lucien; "they are still numerous, both
in the Andes of Chili and Peru. I think I can explain this. It is
because they have a safe place, not only to breed but to retire to,
whenever they feel inclined. Numerous peaks of the Andes, where these
birds dwell, shoot up far above the line of perpetual snow. Away up on
these summits the condor breeds, among naked rocks where there is no
vegetation. No one ever thinks of ascending them; and, indeed, many of
these summits are inaccessible to the human foot. Not even animals of
any species are found there, nor birds--except the condor himself. He
is the sole lord of that region. Therefore, unlike most other
creatures, these birds have a retreat where no enemy can come near them,
and where they may bring forth their young, and rear them in perfect
security. Still more, they can go to rest at night without fear of
being disturbed, unless by the crash of the falling avalanche, or the
roar of the loud thunder that often reverberates through these Alpine
regions. But the condor is not in the least afraid of these noises; and
he heeds them not, but sleeps securely, even while the red lightning is
playing around his eyrie.

"Now, it is very evident that birds, or any other wild animals,
possessing a secure place, both to bring forth their young or escape to
in time of danger, will not easily be