GATHERLXC FOR THE FEAST. 239 



wings impelled them upwards. Yet from these 

 heights the extraordinary vision of the vulture 

 enables him to distinguish every thing that happens 

 on earth. Now, it is a flock of crows and kites 

 gathering round some carrion in the valley that 

 attracts his attention, and makes him fold his mighty 

 wings and descend by the weight of his body in a 

 somewhat slanting direction from the clouds to earth, 

 with a rustling noise caused by his rapid passage 

 through the air ; but before reaching the ground he 

 opens his enormous wings and drops quietly on his 

 prey. Warned by the manceuvres of their companion, 

 his fellows are not slow to follow his example, and 

 drop like stones to earth, so that before you knew of 

 their existence a dozen or more of these huge birds 

 are feasting on the carrion.' They then begin quar- 

 relling among themselves, advancing with half- 

 unfolded wings and threatening air to attack one 

 another; but their fights are never serious. If the 

 dead animal is still entire they tear out the entrails 

 and liver, and then begin upon the flesh. Having 

 gorged themselves, they retire a short distance to 

 look on while their companions feast. The smaller 

 birds of prey, — kites, crows, and magpies, — waiting 

 impatiently at a little distance, dare not approach 

 the tempting repast until these giants have eaten 

 their fill and departed. The latter now rise heavily 

 in the air, and betake themselves to the nearest 

 cliffs, there to digest their food. 



^ Brehm describes a similar sight with African \ultiires. (See his 

 Li'fe of Ammalx, vol. iii. pp. 562-564.) 



