85 



The seventli volume of tlie Asiatic Society's Jomnal con- 

 tains Lieut. Hutton's observations on this species ia tlie same 

 district, £i-om wliich I extract the following : — " The Himalayan 

 Vultiu-e-eagle, though often seen by two and thi'ee at a time, 

 is not gregarious ; they feed on offal and can-ion, and like the 

 kite f3Iilvus cheelaj will carry off portions of flesh ia their 

 talons and devour them on the wing. They are wary birds, 

 and will not descend to a bait as long as they perceive any 

 person on the watch. * * * When pressed by hunger, 

 however, which in these regions must sometimes be the case, 

 he becomes much bolder and is more regardless of danger, 

 though still somewhat cautious iu his approach to man. If 

 flesh be left exposed unwatched, he does not scruple to take 

 his share, using the utmost despatch, and casting a keen glance 

 around, as if conscious of the theft and fearful of detection. On 

 alighting, the attitude and particularly the gait in walking 

 very strongly resemble those of Neophron percnopterus, the 

 head and neck beiug held rather erect, and the feet in walking 

 lifted high off the ground. The only sound I have heard them 

 emit is a hoarse croaking note uttered when angry. They 

 moult once ia the year, during the months of May, June, and 

 part of Jidy. I have occasionally seen them soaring round in 

 company with the Kite and Neophron percnopterus, while the 

 Pondichery and Indian Vidtiires fVuUur ponticerianus and 

 Vultur indicusj were feasting on a carcase in the depth of the 

 glen below. They select some retu'ed and nearly inaccessible 

 cliff or ledge of rock whenever they seek to build then- nests, 

 which they commence in April, and the young are ready to 

 take wing about the end of June," 



Similar localities to the above seem always to be chosen 

 by the Bearded Gypaete for the purposes of nidification. The 

 habits of the species in this respect, as observed in the Alps, 

 are thus recorded by M. F. Von Tschudi, in his work on 

 "Animal Life in the Alps," from which I have already 

 quoted : — " It builds its nest in clefted summits of the moun- 



