THE VULTURES. 41 



beneficially accomplished. Although Mr Waterton says he is 

 " convinced that it is the olfactory nerves coming in contact 

 with putrid matter, and not by its eyesight, that the vulture is 

 made aware of its prey ; for, as the air produced by putrefac- 

 tion is lighter than common air, it ascends and is carried through 

 the atmosphere by every gust of wind; the vulture, soaring 

 above, and coming in contact with this tainted current, instinc- 

 tively follows it down to its source, and finds that which is 

 destined by all-wise Nature to be its support, and be one of the 

 scavengers of this globe ;" I hardly agree with this, for vultures 

 eye their prey often before life is extinct, and before any putre- 

 faction commences. In general, they are of a cowardly nature, 

 preying on dead carcases and offal — often putrid. Their gullet 

 dilates into a large crop, which, when distended with garbage, 

 projects above the furcular bone. When gorged the vulture is 

 reduced to a state of stupidity (a pretty fair type of scavengers 

 generally), and a fetid humour is discharged from their nostrils. 

 The vultures, as Mr Swainson remarks, " are the greatest 

 scavengers of Nature in hot climates, where putrefaction is most 

 rapid and most injurious to health, and the disposition of their 

 numbers is regulated by an all- wise Creator according to their 

 usefulness." They are sparingly scattered over the south of 

 Europe. In Egypt they are more numerous; but in tropical 

 America, although the species are fewer, the individuals are 

 much more plentiful. No sooner is an animal dead than its 

 carcase is surrounded by numbers of these birds, which suddenly 

 appear coming from all quarters, in situations where not one had 

 just before been seen. The bareness of the head and frequently 

 of the neck is most apparent in those whose geographical range 

 is limited to the New World. At the head of this division 

 stand two remarkable species — the celebrated condor of the 

 Andes, and the Papa or king vulture of the Brazilian forests. 

 The first is well-known for the loftiness of its flight and its 

 amazing strength, while the latter is the only species (except the 

 neophron) whose colouring is not dark or sombre. The condor 

 measures eleven feet across the wings when extended, and his 

 strength is equal to his great size. Another gigantic species, 

 which inhabits the greater part of Africa, is called the sociable 

 vulture — Vultur Auricularis — its head also and greater part of 

 the neck are red and naked. The folds of red, naked skin, and 

 the black, curling hairs and feathers — like a ruff — give this 

 huge bird a singular and forbidding appearance. In size he is 

 fully equal to the condor. The nest is usually built in the 



D 



