英国语文第五册(双语):安第斯山的秃鹰(2)
The bird passes a great part of the day in sleep, and hovers in quest of prey chiefly in the morning and evening. Whilst soaring at a height beyond the reach of human eyes, the sharpsighted condor discerns its prey on the level heights beneath it, and darts down upon it with the swiftness of lightning. When a bait is laid, it is curious to observe the number of condors which assemble in a quarter of an hour in a spot near which not one had been previously visible. These birds possess the senses of sight and smell in a singularly powerful degree.
秃鹰一天中大部分时间都在睡觉，一般在早晚会盘旋在空中觅食。当秃鹰翱翔在人类目所不及的高度时，它却能敏锐地捕捉到到地面的猎物，并以闪电般的速度朝着猎物俯冲下来。当我们放好诱饵来观察15分钟内能有多少秃鹰赶来时，却发现之前观察到的秃鹰一只都没有出现。因为这些鸟拥有非常敏锐的视觉和嗅觉。
Some old travellers have affirmed that the plumage of the condor cannot be pierced by a musket ball. This absurdity is scarcely worthy of contradiction; but it is nevertheless true that the bird has a singular tenacity of life, and that it is seldom killed by fire-arms, unless when shot in some vital part.
一些经验丰富的旅行者断言秃鹰的羽毛甚至不能被火枪子弹穿透。虽然这些谬论几乎不值得一提，但是这些鸟的确有很顽强的生命力，而且它们很少有被射杀，除非被射中要害部位。
Its plumage, particularly on the wings, is very strong and thick. The natives, therefore, seldom attempt to shoot the condor. They usually catch it by traps or by the lasso, or kill it by stones flung from slings, or by the bolas.
它的羽毛，尤其是翅膀，非常强壮厚实。因此当地人很少射杀秃鹰。他们一般通过设置陷阱或者套锁，或者从吊索扔出石头或者用流星锤杀死秃鹰。
A curious method of capturing the condor alive is practised in one province. A fresh cow-hide, with some fragments of flesh adhering to it, is spread out on one of the level heights, and an Indian provided with ropes creeps beneath it, whilst some others station themselves in ambush near the spot ready to assist him. Presently a condor, attracted by the smell of the flesh, darts down upon the cow-hide; and then the Indian, who is concealed under it, seizes the bird by the legs, and binds them fast in the skin, as if in a bag. The captured condor flaps its wings, and makes ineffectual attempts to fly, but is speedily secured, and carried in triumph to the nearest village. Live condors are frequently sold in the markets of Chili and Peru, where a very fine one may be purchased for a dollar and a half.
有一处区域活捉秃鹰的方法十分有趣。一张新鲜的牛皮附带一些肉块，摊在一处平地上。而一个印度人套着绳子匍匐在牛皮下，同时其他人在附近埋伏，当秃鹰闻到肉的味道出现了，向牛皮俯冲下来，藏着在下面的印度人一把抓住它的双脚，并立刻绑紧它的双脚，放进袋子里，被抓住的秃鹰扇动双翅企图逃走，却只是徒劳挣扎，最后被带到附近的村庄。活的秃鹰常常被卖于智利和秘鲁市场，在那里，一只完好的秃鹰的成交价格为1.1美元。
—Dr. J. von Tschudi: Travels in Peru.
—Dr. J. von Tschudi：秘鲁游记
