— 49 — 



226. Griffon Vulture. Gyj)s fulvus (Gmelin). 



Gyps fulvus. Shelley, p. 210. 



Not uncommon througliout Egypt, but probably less 

 numerous than it formerly was (a state which exists in regard 

 to all the vultures known from Egypt). 



Length about 42 inches. Head and neck covered with 

 short dull white down, rest of plumage dull brown ; flight 

 feathers black. 



227. " Black Vulture." Vultur monachus Linnaeus. 



Vultur monachus. Shelley, p. 209. 



Not common. Eanges throughout Egypt. 



Length about 45 inches. Head and neck covered with soft 

 brownish down ; a ruff at the base of the neck. Rest of plumage 

 very dark brown. When seen at a distance this vulture appears 

 quite black, hence, no doubt, its trivial name. Sexes similar. 



228. Sociable Vulture. Vultur auricularis Daudin. 



Vultur auricularis. Shelley, p. 209. 



Possibly the commonest of the larger vultures in Egypt. 

 It ranges from the Delta to " Nubia," where Von Heuglin found 

 it plentiful. In the " southern provinces of Egypt" the same 

 author found it to be not uncommon, and although he never 

 found it in Lower Egypt, several examples, said to have been 

 caught in the Giza Province, have passed through our hands. 



Length about 45 inches. Head thinly covered with short 

 dirty white down. Neck naked, the skin wrinkled. At back of 

 neck a partial collar of stiff feathers. Ear orifice very noticeable. 

 Rest of plumage brown, paler on under parts. Sexes similar. 



229. Egyptian Vulture. Neophron percnopterus (Linnaeus). 



Neophron percnopterus. Shelley, p. 211. 



This, the smallest of the Egyptian vultures, is also the 

 most abmidant, although there are clear indications that it is 

 not as common as it used to be. 



Length about 26 inches. Face and throat bare and bright 

 yeUow. Flight feathers black, rest of plumage creamy white 

 with a yellowish stained like patch on each shoulder. Sexes 

 alike. Immature birds are dark chocolate brown all over and 

 the adult plumage is not assumed mitil the bird is three years 

 of age. 



