PONDS, PADDOCKS, AND AVIARIES 45 



compartment, goes through a variety of most grotesque 

 antics that provoke the most stolid of visitors into roars 

 of laughter, and must be seen to be believed in — at all 

 events I should be extremely puzzled to do them adequate 

 justice with pen and ink. During this performance of 

 its companion the griffon vulture frequently assumes very 

 absurd attitudes of defiance, possibly of admiration, but 

 does not take any very active part in the ' show.' 



" We have two fine bearded vultures, or lammergeiers, 

 one of which (with a companion that has died very 

 lately) enjoyed complete liberty since its arrival here as 

 a nestling till a few days ago, when I was obliged to have 

 it caught up and confined, on account of very conspicuous 

 breaches of decency about the roof of the house and our 

 flower garden. I extremely regret this necessity, as the 

 sight of these large birds soaring about the place, generally 

 pursued by a cloud of rooks, was certainly unique in 

 England, and afforded to me, who am well acquainted 

 with the lammergeier in its native haunts, a constant 

 source of interest and pleasant memories of localities that 

 are still to a great extent unspoiled by man. These birds 

 of mine were very tame and perfectly harmless ; indeed, 

 with the exception of a few playful attacks on trousers, 

 gaiters, petticoats and boots, I never heard of any malice 

 on their part towards any living creature. Their natural 

 food consists of carrion and garbage of all sorts, tortoises, 

 and other small reptiles ; and I hold the many stories 

 that are current on the Continent, of their carrying off 



