THROUGH WILD EUROPE 39 



from whence they can survey a great expanse of 

 country. Nothing escapes their telescopic gaze, and 

 at the first sight of a carcase the bird which first 

 notices it descends. Other Griffons at varying dis- 

 tances see this descent, and, knowing exactly what 

 it portends, also make for the same spot ; and so it 

 goes on, for birds still farther off watch the pro- 

 ceedings and also hurry down, they in their turn 

 being followed by others, until hundreds of hungry 

 scavengers are making up for their long fast, and 

 trying to bolt as much food as possible in the shortest 

 possible time. 



It is quite usual to hear people express their 

 disgust at the very idea of a Vulture ; but I think 

 this prejudice is merely sentimental. Certainly their 

 habits and food do not recommend them, however 

 useful they may be ; but their appearance is 

 exceedingly picturesque, and the sight of a number 

 simultaneously on the wing is a most interesting ex- 

 perience. When at rest on their native rocks, too, 

 their huge size, and their statuesque and motionless 

 pose amid the grandeur of the massive rocks and 

 beetling precipices in which they live, combine to 

 invest them with a certain beauty and distinction of 

 their own. 



The Egyptian Vulture, though its habits are even 

 more repulsive and disgusting than those of the 

 Griffon, is a most striking-looking and handsome 



