310 FOREIGN BIRDS. 



The ScANsoRs, chief Parrots, were dissonant loud; 

 Many Goat-suckers' (*) notes, too, were heard from 

 the crowd. 



colour, splashed with chocolate, mingled with black ; they are 

 in Icnsith two inches and three quarters, breadth two inches. 

 This is a peaceable and harmless bird, never offering violence to 

 any living animal; in the southern states of Nortii America, from 

 their usefulness, they are protected by a law which inipose.-* a 

 fine on those who wilfully deprive them of lite. 



The CristatiLS, or Crested-Vulture, has the body blackish 

 red; head crested; breast rufous ; smaller than the last, but ex- 

 tremely active and voracious ; feeds on hares, rabbits, foxes, 

 fawns, and fish ; found in some parts of Eutope. 



The FercnopteruSj Aquiline-Vulture, or Pharoah's-Cliicktn, 

 has the plumage white, except the quill feathers, which are 

 black ; the edges hoary ; length two feet. Another variety, 

 with the body reddish-ash, spotted with brown ; inhabits Egypt, 

 Syria, and Persia. It is encouiaged in Cairo to devour dead 

 carcasses; and in Palestine to destroy the mice whiih swarm in 

 the tields. In Egypt it was formerly a capital crime to destroy 

 one of these birds. 



*' The place is tainted— and behold 

 The Vulture hovers yonder, and his scream 

 Chides us that still we scare him from his banquet." 



South EY's Thalaba, vol. i. page 105. 



(^) Ohder, Passfres, (Li?j?j.) Goat-sucker, the European. 

 the ViRGiAN, the Grand, &cc. 



The geuos Capriiviulgus, (Linn.) or Goat-sucker, com- 

 prehends about forty species, chiefly inhabitants of America; 

 one the Caprintulgus Europaus, or Euroi^ean Goat-sucker, 

 is found in this country. I he characteristics of the tiibe are, 

 bill short, hooked at the end ; upper mandible beset with a row 



