83 



singular variation, thoiigli not of very common oceiuTence, is 

 sometimes found both, in adult and in immatui-e specimens. 



The following particulars respecting the mode of feeding 

 practised by the Laemmer-Geyer, I extract from " Tschudi's 

 "Sketches of Nature in the Alps:" — "The contents of the 

 stomachs of Lsemmer-Geyers which have been opened after 

 death have created no little astonishment. * * * One con- 

 tained five bullock's ribs two inches thick and from six to nine 

 long, a lump of haii", and the leg of a yoxmg goat from the 

 knee to the foot; the bones were perforated by the gastric 

 juice and partly reduced to powder ; but the most abxmdant 

 feast was found in the stomach of a Lseimner-Geyer, killed by 

 Dr. Schinz, which contained the large hip-bone of a cow, the 

 skin and fore quarters of a chamois, many smaller bones, some 

 hair, and a heath-cock's claws. * * * If the Leemmer- 

 Geyer sees an old chamois or a sheep or goat grazing near a 

 precipice, it will whii'l round and round trying to torment and 

 frighten the creature till it flies to the edge of the cliff, and 

 then falling straight down upon it, not unfrequently succeeds 

 in pushing it into the abyss below with one stroke of its wings. 

 Diving down after its mangled victim, it will begin by picking 

 out its eyes, and then proceed to tear open and devour the 

 body. * * * It is only the smaller class of booty, such 

 as foxes, lambs, or marmots which can be carried off by the 

 Laemmer-Geyer, as its feet and claws are comparatively weak." 

 The same naturalist also mentions the hare, the marten, the 

 squirrel, the crow, and the woodcock, as occasionally falling 

 a prey to the voracity of the Bearded Gypaete, and adds that 

 tbere is no doubt that infants who have been left exposed near 

 the resorts of these formidable birds have occasionally been 

 seized and carried off by them. 



In Algeria this species is observed to feed largely xipon 

 tortoises, which it carries to a great height in the air and then 

 drops upon rocks or stones, thus breaking the reptile's shell 

 and enabling the captor to feed upon its flesh. 

 hi 



