THE VULTURE. 309 



hill and, showing him the bird that had just alighted, he 

 said, 'the King of the vultures; you will see how he is 

 adored.' Directly the fine-looking bird approached the car- 

 case, the oi polloi of the vultures retired to a short distance; 

 some flew off, and perched on some contiguous branch ; 

 while by far the greatest number remained, acting the courtier, 

 by forming a most respectful and well-kept ring around him. 

 His majesty, without any signs of acknowledgment for such 

 great civility, proceeded to make a most gluttonous meal; 

 but, during the whole time he was employed, not a single 

 envious bird attempted to intrude upon him at his repast, 

 until he had finished, and taken his departure with a heavier 

 wing and slower flight than on his arrival; but when he had 

 taken his perch on a high tree, not far off, his dirty, ravenous 

 subjects, increased in number during his repast, ventured to 

 discuss the somewhat diminished carcase; for the royal appe- 

 tite was certainly very fine. I have since beheld the above 

 scene acted many times, but always with great interest." 

 A Feast of Wilson gives the following account of the Black 

 Vultures. Vulture of America. "February 21 st, 1809. Went 

 out to Hampstead this forenoon. A horse had dropped 

 down in the street, in convulsions ; and dying, it was dragged 

 out to Hampstead, and skinned. I ventured cautiously within 

 thirty yards of the carcase, where three or four dogs, and 

 twenty or thirty vultures, were busily tearing and devouring. 

 Seeing them take no notice, I ventured nearer, till I was 

 within ten yards, and sat down on the bank. Still they paid 

 little attention to me. The dogs being sometimes accidentally 

 flapped with the wings of the vultures, would growl and snap 

 at them, which would occasion them to spring up for a 

 moment, but they immediately gathered in again. I remarked 

 the vultures frequently attack each other, fighting with their 

 claws or heels, striking like a cock, with open wings, and 

 fixing their claws in each other's heads. The females, and 

 I believe the males likewise, made a hissing sound with open 



