THE BIRDS OF PREY 6i 



a bird which has twice been taken in Great Britain. It is one of the 

 smallest Vultures, and is found in considerable abundance in the 

 Mediterranean countries and Africa. Though it has the reputation 

 of being an exceptionally foul feeder, devouring all kinds of offal and 

 excrement, as well as Lizards and Snakes, it must be regarded as a 

 most useful bird, removing offensive matter, which in such hot climates 

 would soon breed pestilence. 



The Griffon Vulture has occurred once in Great Britain, a specimen 

 having been captured so far back as the spring of 1843 near Cork 

 Harbour. Seeing that it is common in Southern Europe, it is strange 

 that it has not been more often recorded from our islands. It is a 

 large bird, having a length of about 3 feet 6 inches (Plate IX. fig. 3). 



But the most interesting of all the Vultures is perhaps the Great 

 Lammergeier, or Bearded Vulture, the ** Ossifrage " of Scripture 

 (Plate IX. fig. 4). This bird extends from Southern Europe throughout 

 Central Asia and the Himalayas. Though at one time frequently 

 met with in Switzerland, it is now almost unknown in that country. 



One of the most striking things about this bird is the brilliant 

 vermilion-red colour of the outer coat of the eye — of the part an- 

 swering to the " whites " of human eyes ; the rest of the eye is golden 

 yellow, with a black pupil. 



It is a magnificent flier, and traverses great distances in search 

 of food, which consists of small animals and carrion. Bones, how- 

 ever, appear to be considered a great delicacy, and to smash these the 

 bird will often drop them from a great height on to the rocks below. 



Of the " New-world " Vultures, to which we must now turn, the 

 most striking species are the King Vulture (Plate IX. fig. 5) and 

 the Condor. The first mentioned is met with from Brazil to Mexico, 

 Texas, and Florida, in the mountain regions ranging as high as five 

 thousand feet. It is a really wonderful bird, by no means common, 

 and by no means well known. One of the most remarkable features 

 of the male is the curious fleshy wattle which surmounts the beak, 

 while the head, which is quite featherless, has the skin most bril- 

 liantly coloured with varying shades of orange, purple, and crimson. 

 The female is more soberly coloured, having the upper parts dark 

 instead of cream-coloured, and lacking the brilliant colours of the 

 naked parts of the head. 



