Tae GRIFFON VULTURE. 
(VuLTuR FUuLvus.) 
Admitted to the B.O.U. List. 
Admitted by Professor Newton. 
Admitted by Mr. H. Seebohm. 
The first bird to be considered stands as an instance of 
the Liberal interpretation of ornithologists as to what 
birds should, or should not, be admitted as British 
Birds. There has only been one ‘occurrence,’ the Jrish 
mmstance, and upon this it is admitted by the British 
Ornithologists’ Union in the lst of British Birds com- 
piled by their committee in 1883. It is recorded as having 
been in perfect plumage; the implied argument here is 
that it was not an ‘escaped’ bird. It was also in perfect 
health, and very wild and savage; but it is more than 
probable that a bird of this species, after tasting the 
sweets of liberty, would be both savage and wild, in the 
opinion of its captor; and if it had recently escaped would 
have been in good condition, even if unsuccessful in 
hunting on its own account after regaining its liberty, 
being one of a tribe that alternately gorges and fasts ; 
and any person examining the Vultures in the Jardin 
des Plantes, and other aviaries, will find many birds in as 
perfect plumage as their fellows at liberty ; indeed more 
perfect, for Mr. Chapman says “ ¢he claws and feathers 
I 
