872 



ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BITLLETIN 



Our jiair of Griffons, which 

 has been with ns for several 

 years, constructs a nest each 

 spring in the straw covering 

 the floor of the aviary at that 

 season. Two white eggs are 

 deposited, although the normal 

 clutch is given as one only. 

 These eggs, unfortunately, have 

 invariably proved infertile. 



Greatest in size and most 

 repulsive in appearance of the 

 Old World vultures now rep- 

 resented in the collection, the 

 Eared Vulture (Otogyps auri- 

 cularis) is probably also the 

 mo.st uncommon. The bare 

 skin of the head and neck 

 varies in color from sickly 

 flesh color to blood red, accord- 

 ing to the condition and age of tiie bird. The 

 absence of feathers throws into greater promi- 

 nence the powerful, hooked beak. Tlie playful 

 and almost jovial nature possessed by many vul- 

 tures of both the Old World and the Xew, is well 

 developed in this species. Its greatest pleasure 

 is to strongly oppose the keeper's attempt to 

 clean its cage ; striking at the rake with awkward 

 but powerful feet. This vulture is a native of 

 tropical Africa, the birds of Egypt being con- 

 sidered as a separate form by some authori- 

 ties. 



Perhaps tlie most maligned of all the Fal- 

 conidae is the Red-Tailed Hawk (Biiteo 

 horealis). This unfortunate bird is known vari- 

 ously as chicken-hawk and hen-hawk, in refer- 

 ence to its fancied liabit of raiding poultry 

 yards. For this reason, the Red-Tail is perse- 



cuted continually and shot on 

 every possible occasion by the 

 farmer, in his supposedly right- 

 eous indignation. As the bird 

 generally meets its fate while 

 hunting for the destructive mice 

 tiiat swarm about the fields, its 

 end is even more deplorable. 

 And it is while the farmer is 

 al)out. bent on the destruction 

 of this beneficial creature, that 

 tlie rapacious Cooper or sharp- 

 shinned hawk spreads swift de- 

 struction among his poultry. 

 And it is this same speed that 

 carries the marauder out of 

 danger ; often before his pres- 

 ence is known and almost in- 

 variably before his species can 

 be determined. Shooters 

 should learn to distinguish bird-killing from 

 iiarmless liawks. and it is our intention to ar- 

 range a series of native species to facilitate the 

 gaining of this knowledge. 



The Harpy Eagle (Thrasaetus harpyia) is one 

 of the largest and mo,st powerful of the Accipi- 

 trine birds. An inhabitant of the dense tropical 

 forests from ^lexico southward, little has been 

 learned of its wild habits. The thickness of its 

 tarsi and the extreme length of its talons testify 

 to the fact that their owner feeds on animals 

 of considerable size, and it is known tiiat fawns, 

 peccaries, sloths and monkeys enter into its bill 

 of fare. The wings are broad and strong, and 

 although the bird appears slow and awkward 

 while moving about its cage, it is said to be 

 able to liandle itself with great ease while on 

 the wing. Certain it is. that once its selected 



RPY EAGLE 



RED-TAILED HAWK 



GRIFFON VULTURE 



