FAMILY VULTURID^i ; VULTURES. 4 1 5 



from being rendered so foul by the carrion in which they are 

 buried when the Vulture is glutting itself with food, as they 

 would be, clothed with feathers ; and a natural instinct seems to 

 guide it to a frequent cleansing of its plumage from the soils 

 which it must receive. 



377. Much discussion has taken place with respect to the 

 mode in which Vultures are directed to their food, whether 

 by the sense of sight or by smell. The probability seems to be, 

 that they have the power of scenting it from great distances, 

 and are thus drawn to the spot in which it is to be found. 

 They are often seen to descend in considerable numbers upon 

 the carcass of a recently-killed animal, " as if they emerged from 

 a cavern in the sky;" none having been visible but a few 

 minutes previously. But when they are thus drawn towards 

 their prey, they are probably directed to the exact spot by the 

 sense of sight. It is certain that the Vultures have an organ of 

 smell more highly developed than that of most other Birds. 

 They can endure hunger for a long time, and will often sit 

 patiently for many hours, or even days, watching for the death 

 of a sickly or injured animal ; they seldom attack it before life is 

 extinct ; but when they once begin to devour it, they gorge 

 themselves until the craw forms a large protuberance above the 

 furcula ; and they then remain for some time in such a state of 

 stupidity, that they may be knocked down with a stick by any 

 one who approaches them. 



378. As interesting examples of this group, the following 

 species may be mentioned. The Tawny Vulture (Fig. 218) is 

 a native of the mountainous parts of Southern Europe, and 

 Western Asia; its length is upwards of four feet, and its 

 strength very great. Nevertheless it never attempts to carry 

 off in its claws any portion of the carcass on which it is gorging 

 itself; but feeds its young by disgorging the half-digested 

 morsels from its maw. Occasionally it attacks sickly animals, 

 which are incapable of defending themselves ; but this is only 

 when no other mode of satisfying its appetite presents itself. 

 The Egyptian Vulture is not confined to the country where it is 

 best known ; but is a regular visitor of Southern Europe ; and 



