u6 



THE VULTURE. 



clean cages, and fed sparingly on comparatively fresh and 

 "wholesome meat. In their wild and natural state, no one who 

 has once been near them would willingly approach too closely 

 a second time, as their smell, increased by a greasy sort of 

 perspiration, drawn out by the heat of the sun, is dreadfully 

 offensive ; and their appearance very different from the bold 

 fine Eagle perched on his pinnacle of a rock. 



The' Griffon, or Fulvoua Vulture. 



They sit in a sort of moping, slouching manner, with their 

 heads buried within their shoulder-bones, as if torpid, or 

 roosting, many of them together, on tall dead pines or cypress- 

 trees, where in the morning they often continue for hours, 

 with their wings, measuring from eight to ten feet from tip to 

 tip, spread open. 



There is one exception to this inactive character of Vultures, 

 in a bird which is now classed with them, though more from 

 certain peculiarities in his plumage and beak than those closer 



