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breaking open a large mass of Peperino found near Frascati, a 
natural cavity was discovered within it, in which were several 
bones in the form of askeleton. Impressions of feathers, &c., 
were seen on the walls of the cavity. One of these showed the 
head and neck of a bird devoid of feathers except mere downy 
traces of them. Another presented the interior of the mouth and 
tongue with the cavities at the back of the nostrils, The im- 
pressions of true feathers looked as if the bird had struggled 
much before dying. The imprint of claws, &c., proved that the 
bird was of the vulture tribe, and Signor Meli has been able to 
determine the species as that of “ Gyps fulvus.” It may appear 
strange that a bird so strong of wing should have been buried in 
this manner. The bird which is now rare in Central Italy is not 
uncommon in Sardinia, and the shepherds are able to kill them 
easily after they have well feasted on carrion, which they gorge 
until they can only rise from the earth with great difficulty, 
It is probable that this bird, while in such a state of reple- 
tion, was overcome by the poisonous vapours which so often 
accompany volcanic eruptions, and being suffocated, found a 
grave in the then semi-fluid mass of peperino, whence it was sub- 
sequently brought to light in the manner described by the con- 
tadini of the Alban Hills. 
