VULTURID^ GYPS 385 



feathers ; the brown mottling of the back and wings is more 

 marked; the lower throat (crop patch) is a very pale brown, and 

 the feathers of the whole of the rest of the under-surface including 

 the under tail-coverts are broadly edged with brown, producing a 

 striped appearance throughout. 



Distribution. — This is the commonest of the South African 

 Vultures and is found throughout the country in suitable localities 

 as far north as Damaraland on the west, where Andersson met with 

 it sparingly about the Swakop river and, Mashonaland on the east, 

 where it is stated to be not uncommon by Ayres and Marshall. 



Formerly this Vulture was excessively abundant in the Cape 

 Peninsula itself, and even in the streets of Capetown, as is related 

 by Levaillant ; even Layard when he wrote his work (i.e., 1867), 

 states that it " still lingers in the neighbourhood of Capetown." 

 It has not, however, been seen in the Cape district now, so far as I 

 am aware, for many years. It has also become much rarer of late 

 throughout the Colony, though Dr. Schonland informs me that it 

 has lately been seen again in the neighbourhood of Grahamstown. 

 One reason given for its extermination is the widespread practice 

 of laying poisoned meat about the farms for the destruction of 

 ravaging carnivora, while another reason often given is that all the 

 vultures went north to Central x\frica some years back when rinder- 

 pest was ravaging the cattle and game there, and that they have 

 not returned. They are said, however, to be now returning in 

 considerable numbers owing to the quantity of carcases of horses 

 and cattle spread over the country in consequence of the war. 



Habits. — The Aasvogel has its dwelling place in company with 

 many other individuals on the face of some steep krantz or cliff 

 overlooking the surrounding karoo or grassy plain ; here they spend 

 the night, aud at early dawn issue forth one by one to take up their 

 stations, soaring at a great height each above a selected area of 

 country. As soon as a dead animal is observed down swoops the 

 nearest Vulture, and the others observing the action of the first, also 

 move in the same direction, so that where a few minutes previously 

 not one single bird was visible, now a rapidly increasing crowd is 

 collected. Antelopes and game of all kinds and cattle form their 

 favourite food, horses and donkeys are not so much relished, while 

 it is stated that they never touch human bodies. Both fresh and 

 decomposed carcases are eaten, and a beginning is usually made 

 with the eyes and tongue. While eating a good deal of noise is 

 made, a kind of grating cry of anger. After their hunger is satisfied 



25 VOL. III. 



