The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1894-12-07

bird. rs waving wings. It's uncanny
appearance. sd demoralized the horses
that they snorted. buclxed and en-.
deavored. 20 run away. Rut they
were quickly suhdued and the ,lyinp
condor was brought down with IA jer!.
land the two birds were surrounded by
the excited riders.
Then followed a curious exhibition.
The two birds began AN cxtemporized
dance around the circle, hopping like
eagles, first on one foot, then on the
other. uttcring low and vicious hiss.
Around they went, pecking at the
ropes, thrusting forward their bare
and ugly heads, and apparently sub
dned.
But it was only for moment. As
II by concerted plan they hurled them
selves at the horses, one on one side
and one on the other. coming up
against the animals with great force,
striking them with their ponderous
wings and pecking AT them with their
powerful bills
his onslaught again demoralizel
one OF the horses. so that. rearing TO
escape the charge. he fell baclSwar /.
His rider slipped off in time. while the
broncho rolled over and over, en-
tangled in the reata. The bird, prob
ably equally frightened, sprang over
his body, and, between "A fusillade OF
kicks from the struggling animal, en-.
deavored again to fly. But the rope
held it securely. and even a California
condor, with a spread of ten feet of
wing. could not carry off horse; so
it was forced 10 come clumsily to the
ground.
The riders, now recovered from their
confusion. amid much laughter-as
this was rare but famous sport
among native Californians-began to
take in their reatas, and soon had the
great birds so that they were entirely
submissive; and as they were unin-
jured, il was decided 10 carry them to
Los Angeles. This was accomplished
by carrying bird between two horses,
the wings spread apart to their full
extent. and the tips of the pinions tied
10 the saddles; while beneath the
birds. to support them SO that they
would not suffer, were placed doubled
reatas.
At first the horses seriously objected
70 this arrangement, but finally sub
mitoed. and the cavalcadc took up its
march. entering Los Angeles. which
was then an adobe town. and
amid much excitement. the birds be.
coming one of the chief attractions OF
the fiesta.
The California condor was formerly
quite common, and was regarded as an
enemy to the herder. its great size and
yoracious appetite making it a menace
to sheep Actual experiment showed
that one of these birds would dcvour a
sheep "A day: and TO illustrate their
strength. four have been seen drag
ging a young bear. which weighed
over one hundred pounds. for dis
lance Of six hundred feet. When
gorgcd with food. the birds found it
difficult to fly. and we're thus. when
surprised. often taken with the reata.
The California condor is very like its
South American ally in general APP
pearance. not having the peculiar
white collar. 1t is far from being
ferocious. and is easily tanned or do
mcsticatcd. II presents an appearance
of remarsa bic strength. and its pow
ers of fight are such that ii could
easily carry away child or a light
animal Such habits are often laid at
its door. but are not founded on fact.
the bird rarely. IL ever. attacking hui
man beings. and being totally unable