SOLITARY AND GREGARIOUS. 127 
birds seem to have originated from the casual ob- 
servation of a strange species among a flock of 
gregarious birds. He once observed a few cross- 
bills (Lovia curvirostra) in the king’s garden at Paris, 
intermingling with other gregarious birds. ‘These, 
being uncommon birds, were very likely to attract 
popular attention, and give rise to the fancy of their 
being royal birds. He once also noticed a field- 
fare (Turdus pilaris), which, having strayed from 
its companions and associated with starlings, was 
called king of the starlings by the peasants of Se- 
zaune, in La Brie. 

















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King of the Vultures. 
A similar custom is that of the king of the vul- 
tures (Sarcoramphus papa, Dumerit), which is sel- 
