NEOPHRON PERCNOPTERUS 87 



assured, on good authority, the species is resident in Hmited numbers 

 throughout the year. 



In Algeria and Marocco the present species seems to be abundant, 

 and in the latter country, according to Favier, " it appears near 

 Tangier in flocks during migration, some remaining to nest in the 

 vicinity, awaiting the return of the autumnal migration to winter 

 probably in the interior of Africa" (Orn. Strs. Gib. p. 1.52). 



In North Tunisia I have often seen this Vulture on the Djebel 

 Kessas, or Lead-Mountain, near the town of Tunis, and I once shot 

 one there as it was soaring far above me at the very top of the 

 mountain. The bird unfortunately fell into a deep gully, from which 

 I failed to recover it. Further south in the Kegency the species may be 

 met with more or less sparingly wherever mountains occur. The dis- 

 tribution of the Neophron seems to be more universal in the Regency 

 than that of the Griffon-Vulture, though numerically it may not be 

 so abundant as that species. The Neophron indeed is only to be 

 found, as a rule, in pairs or singly, and rarely in flocks, except when 

 actually on migration or when attracted by food, on which occasions 

 the birds may be observed congregating together in considerable 

 numbers. Visitors to Constantine may see several of these Vultures 

 frequenting the wonderful ravine surrounding that town, where the 

 birds feed on the garbage and refuse thrown there. The Neophron 

 is certainly one of the foulest feeders in existence, though, like other 

 Vultures, most useful as a scavenger in warm climates. 



The ravine of which I have just spoken, is the haunt of other birds 

 besides the Egyptian Vulture, numberless Kestrels, Jackdaws and 

 Eavens being abundant there, as well as other smaller species. In 

 Southern Tunisia the Neophron may often be seen lazily soaring over 

 some Arab " douar," or encampment, patiently biding its time, and 

 content to continue its aerial evolutions for hours together on the 

 chance of a meal. Haste is entirely contrary to its nature, the habits 

 of the bird being in perfect harmony with the general atmosphere of 

 tranquillity which pervades the Saharan region. 



In confinement the Neophron becomes remarkably tame, and lives 

 peaceably with others of its kind. 



The breeding-season of the present species commences about the 

 beginning of April, the site generally chosen for its nest being a hole 

 or cleft in a crag, protected by overhanging rocks. The nest is usually 

 composed of a few dry sticks, with a little wool and pieces of cotton 



