51 



and it inhabits (with more or less frequency) the islands of St. 

 Jago, St. Vincent, Madeira, and Teneriffe, as well as most of 

 the islands of the Mediterranean sea, and of the Greek Archi- 

 pelago. The ordinary northern limit of this species, both in 

 Europe and in Asia, appears to be about the 45th degree of 

 north latitude ; it has, however, occurred as an accidental 

 visitant as far northward as England and Norway. Its value 

 as a scavenger mainly consists in its predilection for excre- 

 mental substances, and its consequent disposition to take up its 

 abode in the vicinity of human habitations, a propensity which 

 causes it to be protected in Egypt and in some other countries; 

 but it also feeds on carrion of various descriptions, and in de- 

 fault of such food it occasionally preys upon rats, field mice, 

 small lizards, snakes, insects, and even earthworms. This 

 species has likewise been observed by Mr. Andersson to feed 

 upon the fruit of a creeping plant called " Naras," which is 

 found in some parts of South-western Africa. The natives of 

 the countries about the Orange Kiver in South Africa assert 

 that the Egyptian Vulture preys upon the eggs of the Ostrich, 

 which it breaks by di'oppiug upon them a stone, which it has 

 carried into the air for that piu'pose, and it is ciuious that the 

 Gypoictinia melanosternon of Australia is said by some of the 

 Aborigines of that continent to destroy the eggs of the Emu 

 in the same manner. It may here be also mentioned that in 

 the Canary Islands this Vultm-e is accused (according to Dr. 

 Bolle) of destroying the eggs of Peafowl. The Egyptian Vul- 

 ture usually remains at a short distance from any carcase which 

 it finds, so long as the larger Vultures are feeding upon the 

 carrion, and it is sometimes compelled to abandon a piece of 

 flesh which it has actually seized, by the attacks of the White- 

 billed Kite f3Iilvus parasiticus. J The nest of this Vulture is 

 usually placed in rocky cliffs and precipices, but in some parts 

 of Africa where such situations are wanting, it is said to nest 

 upon the ground in the midst of bushes or thickets ; in India 

 it also nests on tall trees, especially the Banian, The eggs are 



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