106 



STORIES OF BIRD LIFE 



unusual activity among his relations and starts for the 

 scene of action, thus by his movements giving warning 

 to a flock of others of his own kind. Be the cause of their 

 discovery as it may, the hlack vultures in an irregular 

 stream are soon to be observed coming across the country, 

 flying not far above the tree tops, their course straight as 

 an arrow 's flight toward the lonely spot in the woods which 

 now holds so much of interest to them. 



On they come, twenty, thirty, forty, sometimes fifty or 



even in greater numbers, their eager eyes peering into the 

 forest ahead, their dusky pinions bearing them forward to 

 the weird, revolting feast, hurrying them onward to the 

 assembly at the vulture's banquet. Soon they are gathered 

 about the lifeless animal and with eager joy their sharp 

 hooked beaks are tearing at the soft parts. They stand 

 upon its body and pick out its eyes ; they trample down the 



