Lammergeyer or ‘Golden Eagle” 409 
flight and many of its habits are distinctly vulturine, it merited 
the name of the Bearded Vulture. 
In the Himalayas, where it resides, it is well-known to many 
sportsmen either as the Lammergeyer or the “Golden Eagle” 
from its rich rufous colouring. It is probably owing to this that 
the name of Limmergeyer has taken such a hold in our language 
since the vast majority of those among us who have seen it in a 
wild state are Anglo-Indians. 
The late Professor Newton, one of the most learned (and 
shall I venture to add cautious?) of ornithologists looked on the 
matter as one which could only be solved by an investigation of 
‘characters which are not superficial.” Since my own field obser- 
vations and experiences are mainly in accord with those who style 
the bird the Bearded Vulture, I have adopted that name and 
especially so, that all those who in recent years have had 
opportunities of watching these grand birds in their fastnesses 
are agreed as to the convenience of the term. Colonel Irby 
thus styles it in his ‘Ornithology of the Straits,” as did Lord 
Lilford and Dr. Stark. The latter's experiences were extensive 
and unique as I have said. 
On the other hand, I have not met with any modern naturalist 
or observer who can adduce any direct evidence to justify the older 
name of Lammergeyer save that at the lambing season these birds 
like the Neophrons are frequently to be seen near the flocks of 
goats and mountain sheep for reasons given by Dr. Stark and 
quoted by Colonel Irby. After watching these powerful birds 
carrying the weighty limb of an animal in mid-air, the idea has more 
than once struck me that the old tale of Golden Eagles carrying 
off children may without any very great stretch of imagination find 
their origin in tne misdeeds of the Bearded Vulture. The mere 
term of Golden Eagle is suggestive of the likelihood of some 
confusion having existed between the two species. Thus, the 
