AQUILINE VULTDRE. 117 



in its talons, deer, sheep, and calves. It is even stated, 

 that three of them are able to kill and devour a cow, 

 Condaraine informs us, that he has seen a Condur hover 

 over a flock of sheep, which it was only prevented from 

 attacking by the presence of the shepherds. Condurs 

 reside among the highest and most inaccessible rocks, and 

 there procure their subsistence; except in the rainy sea- 

 son, when they resort to the sea-shores, and pick up the 

 large fish which are cast ashore by the storms. It is said 

 that when alighting on, or rising from the ground, they 

 make such a noise with their wings as to terrify, and 

 almost deafen any one who happens to be near the place. 

 The female makes her nest upon the rocks, generally 

 under the shelter of some projecting ledge, and lays two 

 white eggs, which are not much larger than those of a 

 turkey. 



The head of the Condur is clothed with a brown kind 

 of wool, or down, and upon it there is a kind of warty 

 excrescence, or comb. The throat is naked, and the 

 neck is surrounded with a collar of longish white feathers. 

 The legs are excessively strong and large, and, as well 

 as the bill, are black. The plumage is generally black, 

 variegated with white and gray. 



Aquiline or Egyptian Vulture. In the hottest parts 

 of Africa, Asia, and Europe, these birds, which prefer 

 putrid animal substances to all other kinds of food, 

 perform the useful office of scavengers, in removing 

 filth from the towns and villages. They collect together 

 in flocks, perch upon the walls and houses, and are 

 protected by the inhabitants, on account of the import- 

 ance of their services. Their chief times of feeding are 

 the morning and evening. The ancient Egyptians held 

 them in great veneration ; and we are informed by Hero- 



