290 Mr. W. H. Simpson's Ornithological Notes 



of exposure and partly the natural colour of the rock. Under- 

 neath thisj with more or less regularity, occurs a band of softer 

 rock, which wears externally a rusty- yellow colour and is very 

 friable in its nature. In this band are found most of those holes 

 and fissures and horizontal excavations which form such comfort- 

 able quarters for the larger birds of prey. In the more lofty 

 precipices occur regular caves extending some way into the 

 mountain ; and there are always plenty of nice snug holes (just 

 big enough to contain a nest), which open out upon a covered 

 ledge common to all the families in its locality. Wherever there 

 is a covered ledge or corridor of this sort in the Griffon colonies 

 conspicuous for its extent and sunny position, we may expect to 

 find established the " club " of the community. There are 

 always a considerable number of young unmarried Griffons, 

 known to some naturalists as V. kolbii, who perhaps form the 

 nucleus of the institution ; but these are joined at times by the 

 elders of the tribe. On a nice sunny afternoon they may be 

 seen dropping in by ones and twos at a time, and, when a quorum 

 is established, proceed to their business, whatever that may be. 

 Some sit with their wings completely stretched out, as though 

 they were hanging themselves out to dry after a wash ; others 

 appear to be taking a nap after dinner ; but there are always a 

 few busy ones putting their heads together, who are probably 

 engaged in discussing the price of meat, or in arranging one of 

 those grand expeditions during which they beat the country in 

 such force. But we are at present looking at the cliffs above 

 -^tolico, where, although one or two birds occasionally sail 

 past, there is no "club" of Griffons. Here we observe another 

 peculiarity common to the limestone precipices of Greece, viz., 

 the deposits of white lime which arc left in places on the face of 

 the cliff by water, after it has percolated the calcareous strata of 

 the mountain. When seen at a distance, this looks so exactly like 

 the discharge from the nest or sleeping-place of a large bird of 

 prey — more especially if, as is often the case, it happens to be 

 under a likely-looking hole — that one is apt to suppose these 

 nests much more numerous than they really are. Birds doubtless 

 take advantage of this, as amongst so many white marks the 

 traces of their own discharge may possibly escape detection. 



