THE HAWKS, EAGLES, KITES, AND VULTURES. 



217 



coarse painting on canvas was made, representing a sheep 

 skinned and cut open. Tliis proved very amusing. No 

 sooner was the picture placed on the ground than the vul- 

 tures observed it, alighted near, walked over it, and some of 

 them commenced tugging at the painting. They seemed 

 much disappointed and surprised, and after having satisfied 

 their curiosity, flew away. This experiment was repeated 

 more than litty times, with the same result." In other cases 

 pieces of meat were placed beneatli tables and other pieces 



li# 





THE BLACK ^^TLTURE. 

 ( Afler lirehm. ) 



on top. Tiie vultures would eat those in sight, but made no 

 attempt to reach those just beneath their noses. 



The way in which vultures from far and wide rapidly con- 

 centrate on a dead animal is explained by Audubon by the 

 fact that, when the first discoverer pounces down upon its 

 prey, the aclioii is seen and uiidershxxl ])y others in the 

 vicinity; these lly immediah'ly to the spot. As they start 

 tliey are seen by others, which in turn signal to more dis- 

 tant birds, so that in a verv short time the vultures for miles 



