Ornithology of Northern Africa. 281 



share the feast with as many as choose to join him. There is 

 none of the snarhng and quarrelling of the canine tribe, nor any 

 attempt to rob a weaker cousin of his portion, nor to devour a 

 savoury morsel in secret ; but each of the company amicably 

 keeps his place, without attempting to eject his neighbour. 

 Yet it must be allowed that the pace at which he gobbles is 

 ' a caution ' to an American table d'hote. 



For some months we possessed two Griffons taken from the 

 nest, who at length arrived safely in England. They never at- 

 tempted to desert us, differing in this respect from our Lammer- 

 geyers, but remained contentedly about the tents, or perched 

 on the backs of the baggage-camels en route. They took a pecu- 

 liar interest in taxidermy, scrutinizing, head on one side, the 

 whole operation of bird-skinning, and perfectly aware of the 

 moment when a morsel would be ready, exhibiting a more than 

 ordinary excitement when they saw the skin drawn back over the 

 head, and knew that the whole carcase would soon be cut off for 

 them. One of these birds was of a desponding, querulous dispo- 

 sition, the other of a very different natural temperament, always 

 contented and cheerful, a universal favourite in the camp, while 

 his fellow received, I fear, many a sly kick for his complaints. 

 They were able to fast for days ; but, whenever such an oppor- 

 tunity as a camel's carcase presented itself, would be revenged on 

 their Lent. I have seen our pet, " Musha Pasha,'' attack the 

 entrails of a camel, and, as his crop became distended, sink upon 

 his breast unable to stand, till at length, even this position being 

 too much for him, he lay on his side still eating, until over- 

 powered and helpless he fell asleep. This enormous capacity for 

 food, combined with the power of long abstinence, is a wonderful 

 provision of Creative Wisdom for carrion-feeders, whose supply 

 is so uncertain, while the necessity for the immediate removal of 

 offensive matter is so urgent. The strength of the Vulture's 

 stomach is equal to its capacity, for on one occasion one of our 

 Griffons devoured a half-pound pot of arsenical soap with no 

 further inconvenience than a violent fit of vomiting. 



I have nothing to add to the remarks of Mr. Salvin in the last 

 Number of ' The Ibis ' on the nidification of the Griffon, beyond 

 noticing that Messrs. Sclater and Taylor have this year brought 



