174 INSESSORES. 



extraordinary development of the nasal organs, but 

 for what purpose it is designed is not fully known. 

 From the earliest ages, the powers of vision of these 

 birds have been almost proverbial, and as they seem 

 to be constantly on the look-out for some object with 

 which to gratify their voracious appetites, it is more 

 than probable that their quickness of sight, rather 

 than the sense of smell, assists them in discovering 

 their food. Wilson, the American ornithologist, 

 speaks of having counted two hundred and thirty- 

 seven black Vultures, which had collected for the 

 purpose of devouring the carcase of a horse; and 

 from his description, we should suppose that nothing 

 was left but the naked skeleton long before the least 

 effluvia could have escaped from the body to attract 

 them.* 



Sometimes in the midst of a troop of Vultures may 

 be recognized the white head and white tail of the 



* In travelling over the wide deserts of Africa, where 

 there is not a blade of grass to tempt a living bird or ani- 

 mal, and therefore no inducement for birds of prey to scour 

 the wilderness in search of game, should a camel or other 

 beast of burden drop under its load in the train of a caravan, 

 in less than half an hour there will be seen high in the air 

 a number of the smallest specks moving slowly round in 

 circles, and gradually growing larger and larger as they 

 descend in spiral windings toward the earth. These are the 

 Vultures, but whence they come, or by what sign or call 

 they are collected from such a vast height, is mysterious ; 

 though it is quite possible that it is in consequence of both 

 the senses being possessed of an acuteness of which we can 

 hardly form any conception. 



