448 



THE EMPIRE OF THE AIR. 



The attitudes of these birds in the air are particularly worthy of at- 

 tention. Their aspect when sailing upon a wind of about 11 miles per 

 hour, which velocity is best adapted to exhibit their faculties, becomes a 

 most interesting: study of iiight without beat of Aving. 



It is clear that to rise upon so feeble a current of air they must 

 spread all their surface. At this speed of 11 miles per hour the Egyj>- 

 tian vulture holds his wings to an even straight line; the Gypoierax 

 cathartoide slightly brings the tips of his pinions forward: the tawny 

 vulture advances them so much that the angle produced in front is 

 165°; the oricou or Nubian vulture goes much further, to make a sat- 

 isfactory sketch of his attitude in flight, would require an angle of 



The (/red f tuinuj Vulture. — We are now face to face with our desi- 

 deratum. Look at his beak! We might disregard his talojis, but the 

 beak is terrible, of a force not to be imagined; garments are insuffi- 

 cient to protect a man from this beak. 



l<'l(i. St. — Tli(^ tawny Vulliirc 



Once he is dead, your gorge rises, for the smell is horrible. This 

 odious perfume is in no way fugacious, for it persists worse than musk; 

 the whole body of the animal is impregnated with it. The room in 

 which it remains for only a few hours will not lose that nauseating 

 odor for many months. Then look out for lice; they are of good hg- 

 ure. The tirst of the enormous parasites one sees, wandering over 

 one's clothes, causes inexpressible astcmishment. However, notwith- 

 standing its size, it is not dangerous, for it does not become accli- 

 nuited to man. 



But, passing by these petty annoyances, what a magnificent animal 

 we have before our eyes. Here we have alar spread of 8 feet or more 

 of wing, a weight of Ki pounds for this admirable living aeroplane. 

 Beyond him there are but three or four varieties which suri)ass him in 

 size, but without causing us to forget him. In any case he is (piite 

 their brother in sailing flight. 



Little need be said concerning the oricou [otomips)^ save that the 

 closest attention is re([uired to recognize them in any group. 



As to the condors, inasmuch as tlu^ir confoumation is the same as 



