2CO NATURAL HISTORY. 



much. Like other Vultures, the Griffon feeds on carrion, but is also stated to frequent the sea-shore 

 in search of Crustacea and dead fish; while the South African Griffon is said to feed on Locusts and 

 small Tortoises, the latter of which it swallows whole.* 



This bird's capacity for feeding is illustrated in a most amusing anecdote of Canon 

 Tristram's : " For some months we possessed two Griffons taken from the nest, who at length 

 arrived safely in England. They never attempted to leave us, differing in this respect from our 

 Lammergeiers, but remained contentedly about the tents or perched on the backs of the baggage- 

 camels en route. They took a peculiar interest in taxidermy, scrutinising, head on one side, the 

 whole operation of bird-skinning, and perfectly aware of the moment when a morsel would be ready, 

 exhibiting a more than ordinary excitement when they saw the skin drawn back over the head,., 

 and knew that the whole carcase would soon be cut off for them. One of these birds was of a 

 desponding, querulous disposition, the other of a very different natural temperament, always contented 

 and cheerful, a universal favourite in the camp, while his fellow received, I fear, many a sly kick 

 for his complaints. They were able to fast for days ; but, whenever such an opportunity as a Camel's 

 carcase presented itself, would be revenged on their Lent. I have seen our pet, ' Musha Pasha,' 

 attack the entrails of a Camel, and, as his crop became distended, sink upon his breast, unable to stand, 

 till at length, even this position being too much for him, he lay on his side, still eating, until, over- 

 powered and helpless, he fell asleep. This enormous capacity for food, combined with the power of 

 long abstinence, is a wonderful provision of creative wisdom for carrion-feeders, whose supply is 

 so uncertain, while the necessity for the immediate removal of offensive matter is so urgent. The 

 strength of the Vulture's stomach is eqxial to its capacity, for on one occasion one of our Griffons 

 devoured a half pound pot of arsenical soap, with no further inconvenience than a violent fit of 

 vomiting." 



The Griffon nests on rocks, sometimes several building in company in the same neighbourhood. 

 Its flight is majestic, and Mr. Salvin says that it is a fine sight to watch the ease with which the 

 Griffon sails through the air ; the apparently effortless extension of the wing seems amply sufficient to 

 .sustain its huge body ; no flapping motion is necessary to enable it to mount to a great height. It is 

 only on leaving a rock that a few strokes are requisite to attain the necessary impulse, after which, with 

 primaries bent upwards by the force of the air, it performs its stately evolutions by soaring only. 

 In alighting, the bird drops its legs some distance from the rock, and, sailing to within a few yards, it 

 checks its velocity by two or three heavy strokes of the wing. 



Among the ancient Egyptians the Griffon appears to have been a sacred bird, and its remains 

 have been found embalmed. It is also figured on their monuments, sometimes in its natural form, 

 sometimes with the head of a Snake. In size the European Griffon stands about three feet and a 

 half high, and is of a general ashy fulvous colour, with black quills and tail ; the under surface is creamy- 

 brown, with a darker brown mark on the crop ; the head and neck are bare, or with loosely scattered 

 tufts of white down ; and round the neck there is a white ruff. 



Besides the Griffon Vulture of Europe there are four others, which seem to be distinct species, the 

 Himalayan Griffon, the South African Griffon, Ruppell's Griffon from Abyssinia, and the Long-billed 

 Griffon from India. In addition to these there are the two White-backed Griffon Vultures, which 

 have only fourteen tail-feathers, and belong to the genus Pseudoyyps. 



THE EARED VULTURE (Otogyps t atiricularis J). 



This is one of the largest species of the birds of prey found in the Old World, being exceeded 

 in size only by the Great Condor of the Andes. It is an inhabitant of Africa, being plentifully 

 spread over the southern portion of the Continent, and also occurring in North-Eastern Africa, whence 

 it ranges in small numbers to Lower Nubia and the Sahara, and has even been said to occur 

 accidentally in Europe. It has received the name of Eared Vulture on account of the folds of skin 

 on the sides of the neck, which are found only in one other species, the Indian Vulture (0. cnlvus). 

 These two kinds of Eared Vultures appear to play the pai't of the King Vulture of South America, 



* J. H. Gurney . " Descriptive Catalogue of the Raptorial Binls in the Norfolk and Norwich Museum." 

 J- ovs, tiros, an ear; yv^, a vulture. + Auricularis, having ears. 



