40 ANIMAL LIFE IN AFRICA 



thus leading a luxurious and untroubled existence. I 

 kept a tame one of the common southern species for some 

 months. It was quite peaceable and well disposed to 

 the dogs, fowls, and other animals which came near its 

 perch, to which it was tethered by a light leg chain, 

 and was quite docile and apparently contented in 

 captivity from the first. It was originally caught 

 through its own greed, being found with its head so 

 firmly fixed in a carcass that it could not withdraw it. 



The Griffon Vulture is the common " aasvogel " of 

 south Africa, and is, in the sub-continent, by far the 

 commonest of the family. It is there found at kills 

 mixed with, but in much greater numbers than, the 

 other species. It constructs a large rough nest in a 

 high tree or rocky kranz, and in the eastern Transvaal I 

 have seen pairs building in February. One egg only 

 appears to be laid. 



The White-Headed Vulture. These birds are not 

 uncommon in the eastern Transvaal, and they have 

 been on several occasions accidentally caught in traps 

 or shot by guns set over kills. I have seen them at 

 carcasses in company with the griffon. 



The Black Vulture is easily recognized by its dark 

 colour, large size, and red head and neck. It is seldom 

 seen otherwise than singly, or at most two or three 

 together. Whether perching on trees or feeding at 

 carcasses, these birds always seem to keep apart from 

 other vultures, and they are very much more difficult 

 to get near than most species. 



RuppelTs Vulture and the White-Backed Vulture are 

 smaller species than the above. 



The Egyptian Vulture is nowhere numerous in the 

 eastern Transvaal, though it becomes rather more so 

 towards the north. I have generally noticed it singly 



