48 NATURALIST'S CABINET. 



Mode of anatomizing the prey. 



thins: but skin and bone. Their manner of per- 

 forming the operation is this: they first make an 

 opening in the belly of the animal, from whence 

 they pluck out and greedily devour the entrails; 

 then entering into the hollew which they have 

 made, they separate the flesh from the bones, 

 without ever touching the skin. It often hap- 

 pens that an ox returning home alone to its stall 

 from the plough, lies down by the way ; it is then, 

 if the vultures perceive it, thai, they fall with fury 

 down, and inevitably devour the unfortunate ani- 

 mal. They sometimes attempt the herds grazing 

 in the fields; and then, to the number of a hun- 

 dred, or more, make their attack all together." 



Some authors have been inclined to suppose, 

 that the vulture never destroys, or feeds upon any 

 thing that has life ; but no conclusion can possi- 

 bly be more unfounded ; for they are mortal ene- 

 mies to almost all kind of poultry, hares, and 

 young kids. 



Catesby remarks, that they are attracted by 

 carrion from a very great distance. " It is plea- 

 sant," says he, " to behold them, when they are 

 eating, and disputing for their prey. An eagle 

 generally presides at these entertainments, and 

 makes them all keep their distance till he has 

 done. They then fall too with an excellent ap- 

 petite; and their sense of smelling is so exquisite, 

 that the instant a carcase drops, the vultures mnv 

 be seen floating in the air from all quarters, ami 

 coine pouncing on their prey." When they can 



