610 REPTILES AND BIRDS. 
There is a variety of the above bird rather larger than the one 
just noticed. It is common in the Alps, Pyrenees, the Tyrol, the 
Greek Archipelago, and also in the south of Spain, in Egypt, and a 
great part of Africa. In autumn it leaves the temperate regions to 
winter in warmer climes. M. Degland and M. Bouteille mention 
various instances of courage shown by it, wherein it repelled dogs 
wishing to participate of its food. Another bird of the same kind, 
having flown away from its master’s house, grievously wounded two 
men who endeavoured to catch it. 
The shepherds fear it even more 
than the preceding. 
The Sociable Vulture (Ovogyps 
auricularis) is a native of the lofty 
mountain regions of Africa. It 
has a fleshy crest, which, taking its 
rise close to each ear, extends down 
the neck ; from this it derives its 
Latin specific name. Levaillant, 
who often observed it in Africa, 
was several times a witness of its 
voracity. One day he had killed 
a couple of buffaloes, and, after 
having had them cut up, caused 
the quarters of meat to be hung to 
dry in the sun; they were soon 
assailed by a flock of these Vultures, 
which carried away the pieces of 
flesh in spité of the numerous gun- 
shots with which they were greeted. 
On another occasion, having killed 
three zebras at some distance from 
Bis, 265--chaann ye erie his camp, he went to find a wagon 
to carry them home ; on his return 
he found nothing but the bones remaining, round which hundreds 
of Vultures were hovering. 
The Pondicherry Vulture (Ovogyps calvus, Fig. 285) is a well 
known Indian bird: it is scarcely as large as the one previously 
described, but in habits of life they are very similar. 
Lastly, the Chinese Vulture (Vudtur Jeuconotus), which is about 
the size of a Turkey, is of a dirty brownish black on the body, and 
white about the shoulders ; it is very common in the southern portions 
of the Celestial Empire. 
