THE VISION OF VULTURES 227 



on again, knowing that before its stoop could 

 reach the water the quarry would be under it. 



Only occasionally were such very faint attempts 

 made, the numerous Kites knowing full well the 

 uselessness of attack, and this no doubt explains 

 why they never carried off the sitting Dabchick or 

 her young when resting on the very exposed nest. 

 One I bought in the bazaar and threw up near the 

 pond, failing to get under way and falling to the 

 ground, was instantly snapped up by a Kite within 

 a few feet of me. A dead Sparrow was also instantly 

 picked up, though live ones were not chased ; yet 

 a released cage-bird, if at all weak on the wing, 

 was instantly pursued. 



The sight of the high-soaring birds of prey is 

 supposed to be particularly fine, and certainly 

 Vultures seem to be able to perceive a dead animal 

 when themselves out of human sight, though of 

 course they are often guided to their prey by 

 observing the movements of others floating at a 

 lower elevation, or of lesser scavengers such as 

 Kites and Crows, flying near the earth. 



In this connection it is interesting to note that 

 the eyes of most Vultures are small compared to 

 those of Eagles, and are not overhung by a bony 

 brow, perhaps because less exact observation is 

 necessary in their case ; but in the ordinary way, 

 size of eye seems to have no more to do with power 

 of vision in birds than in man, the usually small- 

 eyed Ducks and Geese being to all appearance quite 

 as quick- sighted as any other birds. Nor does 



