Of course, during the operation of `tethering,' the condor flaps and struggles with all his might; and were it not for 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.