On the groups of the Vultur idee, 373 



at least a thinness in the plumage. This character, although of 

 course not the effect of the food of the Vultures^ for they exhibit 

 it at all ages, is yet strongly indicative of the nature of it ; and 

 when we consider the ravenous and revolting manner of their feed- 

 ing,* the absence of the feathers of the head and neck appears 

 singularly appropriate to them. It may be noticed, in addition, 

 that this nakedness is more or less extensive over these parts in 

 the different groups of the family, in proportion as their food is 

 more or less exclusively confined to putrid matter. 



* The following description quoted by Dr. Latham from Kolben, will shew 

 the mode in which these birds sometimes take their food. " Kolben remarks 

 that an hundred or sometimes more will attack an ox or cow retired from 

 labour, sick, and faint; and falling all at once upon him, soon devour him: 

 they begin by making a hole in the beUy, and thrusting in their headsy pick 

 the flesh from the bones, still leaving the skin to cover them." Gen. Syn. Sup. 

 p. 2. Ed. 1787. The eontinuator of Wilson's Ornithology, referring to this 

 account of Kolben, confirms the view he gives of the mode of feeding of the 



Vultures. " These we conjecture to be Black Vultures, they being in the 



habit of mining into the bellies of dead animals to feed upon the contents.'* 

 Am. Orn. vol. IX. p. 101. It was an accurate observation of such scenes in 

 nature that suggested the painful picture of the Vulture preying upon Tityus, 

 originally introduced by Homer, and afterwards imitated, or alluded to, by so 

 many succeeding poets. 



Ktxi TiTVov c/Jov, yxiYis t^iytvotos viov 



K£i(ji.svov ev SaTTE^w. 



rDwE OE f^iv eiCATsp^s Tta^'niJLiiU HOAP £XC/g>ov, 



AEPTPON ESn ATN0NTE2. 



Odyss. XI. 575. 



Nee non et Tityon, Terras omniparentis alumnum, 



Cernere erat, 



——— rostro inmanis Voltur obunco 

 Immortale jeeur tondens, fecundaque poenis 

 Viscera^ rimaturque epulis, habitatque sub alto 



Pectore. 



Mu. VI. 595. 

 Viscera praebebat Tityos lanianda, 



Ovid. Met. IV. 456. 



Jugeribusque novem qui summus distat ab imo 



Visceracme assiduae debita praebet avi. 



Id. Ibis. 181. 



Porrectusque novem Tityus per jugera terras 



Assiduas atro viscere pascit aves. 



Tibul. Eleg. I. III. 75. 



