Descriptive List of the Common Birds 



in most places where there are large jhils or 

 backwaters. 



l^he Vultures, 141-145 



These are huge birds of prey which feed ex- 

 clusively on carrion. They are distinguished 

 by the fact that their head and neck are 

 destitute of feathers. A large bird of prey 

 with bare head and neck is undoubtedly a 

 vulture. 



Vultures, as everyone knows, stay for hours 

 floating on outstretched wings high up in the 

 air, looking out for dead animals. Kites and 

 other birds of prey remain for long periods on 

 the wing ; they, too, can sail and soar, but 

 they do not literally hang in the air as the 

 vultures do. As these latter float in the air it 

 will be observed that their wings project 

 straight out at right angles to the body. The 

 commonest species of vulture are : 



141. Otogyps calvus : The Black or Pon- 

 dicherry Vulture. (F. 1191), (J. 2), (+V, 

 nearly twice the size of the kite.) 



A black bird with a red head, a white waist- 

 coat, and a white patch on each thigh. 

 Rare in the Punjab and Sind. 



142. Gyp indicus : The Indian Long-billed 

 M 177 



