EGYPTIAN VULTURE. 7 



had SO gorged itself with the carrion as to be unable or unwill- 

 ing to fly to any great distance at a time, and was therefore 

 approached without much difficulty and shot. Another bird, 

 similar to it in appearance, was seen at the same time upon 

 wing at no great distance, Avhich remained in the neighbour- 

 hood a few days, but could never be approached within 

 range, and which was supposed to be the mate of the one 

 killed." 



On the 28th of September, 1868, as recorded by Dr. Bree 

 in 'The Zoologist ' for that year (p. 1456), another Egyptian 

 Vulture was shot at Peldon, in Essex, attracted by the blood 

 of some slaughtered geese. This bird, as seems to have 

 been the case also with the Somersetshire specimen, is said 

 to have been in immature plumage, and is minutely described 

 by Dr. Bree. 



The Egyptian Vulture is said to be common in the interior 

 of South Africa, but, according to Mr. Ayres, it is rare in Natal, 

 and Mr. Layard states that it is decidedly a scarce species 

 near Capetown. It is there called by various names which 

 signify "White Crow," the name referring to the adult bird. 

 Le Vaillaut states that this species inhabits the whole of 

 Southern Africa, and is infinitely more common within the 

 tropics than elsewhere. The Egyptian Vulture does not live 

 in flocks, like other Vultures ; although, when attracted by a 

 carcase, eight or ten may be seen assembled. At other times 

 it is rare to see more than two together. The male and female 

 seldom separate. In the districts which this species inhabits, 

 every group of natives has a pair of these Vultures attached 

 to it. The birds roost on the trees in the vicinity, or on the 

 fences which bound the inclosures formed for their cattle. 

 They are to a certain degree domiciled and harmless. The 

 people do them no injury : on the contrary, they are rather 

 glad to see and encourage them, because they clear the pre- 

 mises of all the offal and filth they can find. In default of 

 other food, they eat frogs, lizards, and snakes. 



Like the preceding species, the Egyptian Vulture is un- 

 known along the western coast of Africa ; but, unlike it, it 

 inhabits the Cape Verde Islands and the Canaries, and has 



