SOLITARY AND GREGARIOUS. 121 



On observing that they did not heed me, I stole so 

 close that my feet were within one yard of the 

 horse's legs, and again sat down. They all slid 

 aloof a few feet ; but seeing me quiet, they soon re- 

 turned as before. As they were often disturbed by 

 the dogs, I ordered the latter home ; my voice gave 

 no alarm to the vultures. As soon as the dogs de- 

 parted, the vultures crowded in such numbers, that 

 I counted at one time thirty-seven on and around 

 the carcass, with several within ; so that scarcely an 

 inch of it was visible. Sometimes one would come 

 out with a large piece of the entrails, which, in a 

 moment, was surrounded by several others, who tore 

 it in fragments, and it soon disappeared. They 

 kept up the hissing occasionally. Some of them, 

 having their whole legs and heads covered with 

 blood, presented a most savage aspect. Still, as the 

 dogs advanced, I would order them away, which 

 seemed to gratify the vultures ; and one would pur- 

 sue another to within a foot or two of the spot 

 where I was sitting. Sometimes I observed them 

 stretching their necks along the ground, as if to 

 press the food downward."* 



But it may be remarked, that in all the accounts 

 given of these gregarious vultures, nothing is said 

 of their appointing a sentinel like the mountain- 

 sheep, or like several species of birds to which we 

 shall presently attend. For this, however, there is 

 the obvious reason, that the vultures have no for- 

 midable enemies, being protected by man to serve 

 his convenience, besides that, like the mole, they 

 seem to be too disgusting to be preyed upon by 

 any animal. 



Other gregarious birds, however, may be observed 

 always to have a sentinel stationed near them while 

 feeding, whose office it is to give timely alarm of 

 threatening danger or indications of its approach. 



*Amer. Ornith., ix., 107. 

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