1850.] COUNTRY LIFE. 125 



the rarest and most beautiful being the " curl-crested," whose 

 head is covered with little glossy curls of a hard substance, 

 more like quill or metallic shavings than feathers. These are 

 at times plentiful, but did not appear till some weeks later than 

 the other species, when I was at last rewarded for my patience 

 by obtaining several beautiful specimens. 



The common black vultures were abundant, but were rather 

 put to it for food, being obliged to eat palm-fruits in the forest 

 when they could find nothing else. Every morning it was an 

 amusing sight to see them run after the pigs the moment they 

 got up, three or four following close at the heels of each 

 animal, for the purpose of devouring its dung the moment it 

 was dropped. The pigs seemed to be very much annoyed at 

 such indecent behaviour, and would frequently turn round and 

 take a run at the birds, who would hop out of the way or fly 

 a short distance, but immediately resume their positions as 

 soon as the pig continued his walk. 



I am convinced, from repeated observations, that the 

 vultures depend entirely on sight, and not at all on smell, in 

 seeking out their food. While skinning a bird, a dozen of them 

 used to be always waiting attendance at a moderate distance. 

 The moment I threw away a piece of meat they would all run 

 up to seize it ; but it frequently happened to fall in a little 

 hollow of the ground or among some grass, and then they would 

 hop about, searching within a foot of it, and very often go away 

 without finding it at all. A piece of stick or paper would bring 

 them down just as rapidly, and after seeing what it was they would 

 quietly go back to their former places. They always choose 

 elevated stations, evidently to see what food they can discover ; 

 and when soaring at an immense height in the air, they will 

 descend into the forest where a cow has died or been killed, 

 long before it becomes putrid or emits any strong smell. I 

 have often wrapped a piece of half-putrid meat in paper and 

 thrown it to them, and even then, after hopping up to it, they 

 will retire quite satisfied that it is only paper, and nothing at 

 all eatable. 



Senhor B. had two fine sows, very fat, and each was expected 

 to bring forth a litter of pigs in a few days. There were no 

 pig-sties or sheds of any kind ; and all animals retire into the 

 forest on such occasions, and in a few days return with their 

 young family, just as cats do with us. These sows had both 



