On the groups of the Vulturidce, 371 



One of the chief peculiarities conferred upon this family, in 

 order to proportion their physical powers to their mode of life, 

 and the nature of their food, is the exquisite perfection of their 

 sense of smelling. Unlike the nobler groups of the conterminous 

 family of Fakonidce, which discover and pursue their prey by the 

 piercing powers of their sight,* the Vulture is led to his distant 

 quarry chiefly by the acuteness of his scent; — 



nare sagaci 



Aera nonsanura, raotumque cadavere, sentit.t 



Suitably to this purpose, the organs of smell in these birds are 

 strongly developed. Their nares are wide and naked^ and the bill is 

 frequently surmounted with a fleshy caruncle, which seems to ex- 

 tend the powers and increase the delicacy of these organs. The cere 

 in like manner is considerably dilated. In these peculiar powers the 

 family appears to retain among the Birds of Pre^ the same ana- 

 logical relation J to the Canine race among the Mammalia^ as the 

 conterminous Falconidce exhibit to the Feline tribes. 



Rom. Tom. VII. p. 152. See also Vit. Romuli. Vol. I. p. 35. Juvenal refers 

 to the same difference in food when illustrating the influence which early 

 habits and education exercise upon men, by a reference to the same influencQ 

 upon animals. 



Vultur, jumento, et canibus, crucibusque relictis, 

 Ad fajtus properat, partemque cadaveris affert : 

 Hie est ergo cibus magni quoque vulturis, et se 

 Pascentis, propria cum jam facit arbore nidos. 

 Sed leporem, aut capream /awuZa? Jovis et generos<s 

 In saltu venantur aves : tunc praida cubili 

 Ponitur: inde autem, cum se matura levabit 

 Progenies, stimulante fame, festiuat ad illam 

 Quam primum rupto praedam gustaverat ovo. 



Sat. XIV. V. 78. 



♦ " Ex sensibus ante caetera homini tactus, deinde gustatus: reliquis supe- 

 ratur a multis : aquiUe clarius cernuiU ; vultures sagacius odorantur." Plin. 

 Lib. X. c. 69. 



+ LucAN. Phars. VII. 829. 



t The analogy which the " odora canum vis" bears to the power of smell 

 in the Vultures, and the similarity of habits that ensues from such qualities, 



2 A 2 



