THE HAWKS, EAGLES, KITES, AND VULTURES. 217 



coarse painting on canvas was made, representing a sheep 

 skinned and cut open. This proved very amusing. No 

 sooner was the picture placed on the ground than the vul- 

 tures observed it, alighted near, walked over it, and some of 

 them commenced tugging at the painting. They seemed 

 much disappointed and surprised, and after having satisfied 

 their curiosity, flew away. This experiment was repeated 

 more than fifty times, with the same result." In other cases 

 pieces of meat were placed beneath tables and other pieces 



THE BLACK VULTURE. 

 (After lirehm.) 



on top. The vultures would eat those in sight, but made no 

 attempt to reach those just beneath their noses. 



The way in which vultures from far and wide rapidly con- 

 centrate on a dead animal is explained by Audubon by the 

 fact that, when the first discoverer pounces down upon its 

 prey, the action is seen and understood by others in the 

 vicinity ; these fly immediately to the spot. As they start 

 they are seen by others, which in turn signal to more dis- 

 tant birds, so that in a very short time the vultures for miles 



