HABITS OF THE LAMMERGEYER, 11 



diurnal birds of prey. All the birds of prey, called scientifically Raptatores, or Accipitres, 

 are readily known by their compressed and hooked beaks, the powerful talons which 

 arm their toes, and the twelve or fourteen quill feathers of the tail. The Vultures are 

 distinguished by the shape of the beak, which is of moderate size, nearly straight above, 

 curved suddenly and rounded at the tip, and without any "teeth" in the upper mandible. 

 The middle toe of the foot is larger than the others, and the outer toes are connected with 

 them at their base by a small membrane. In the greater number of species the head 

 and upper part of the neck are nearly naked, and the eyes /ire unshaded by the feathery 

 ridge which overhangs these organs in the eagles. As a general rule, the Vultures feed 

 on dead carrion, and are therefore most beneficial to the countries which they inhabit. 

 When pressed by hunger, however, they will make inroads upon the flocks and herds, and 

 will not disdain to satisfy their wants with rats, mice, small birds, or insects. 



The name of Bearded Vulture has been given to the Lammergeyer on account of the 

 tufts of long and stiff bristle-like hairs which take their rise at the nostrils and beneath 

 the bill, and form a very prominent characteristic of the species. The "cere," a soft 

 naked skin which is placed on the base of the beak, is not very large, and the upper 

 mandible is rather higher in front of the cere. The feet are not so large as in many of 

 the birds of prey, and are not veiy well adapted for seizing or retaining prey. As, 

 however, the Lammergeyer is not a bird of chase, like the eagle and falcon, but obtains 

 its food by striking chamois, goats, and other animals over the precipices near which they 

 are standing, the powerful claws of the eagle would be of little service to it. The 

 claws are therefore comparatively feeble, short, and are covered with feathers down to 

 the toes. 



The colour of the Lammergeyer is a grey-brown, curiously dashed with white upon the 

 upper surface, in consequence of a white streak which runs along the centre of each 

 feather. The under surface of the body, together with the neck, are nearly white, tinged 

 with a wash of reddish-brown, which is variable in depth in different individuals. In the 

 earlier stages of its existence, the Lammergeyer is of a much darker hue, and the white 

 dashes upon the back are not so purely white nor so clearly defined. The head and 

 neck are dark brown, and the brown hue of the back is of so deep a tint that the young 

 bird has been classed as a separate species, under the title of Vultur niger, or Black 

 Vulture. 



Like the true Vultures, the Lammergeyer is invaluable as a scavenger, and if an animal 

 be killed and left exposed to view, the bird is sure to find out the spot in a very short time, 

 and to make its appearance as if called by some magic spell from the empty air. But as 

 there is not a sufficiency of dead animals for the food of this hungry and powerful bird, 

 it makes prey of lambs, kids, hares, and such like animals, nor disdains to feed even on 

 rats, mice, and other small quadrupeds. With the larger animals, such as the chamois, 

 the Lammergeyer cannot successfully cope on level ground, but taking advantage of its 

 wings, it hurls itself suddenly against some devoted animal which is standing heedlessly 

 near a precipice, and by the force of its blow strikes the poor creature into the 

 depths below, whither it is immediately followed by its destroyer. Even mankind is said 

 to be endangered by these sudden attacks of a hungry Lammergeyer, and more than one 

 chamois-hunter is reported as having been killed by an assault from one of these birds. 



The Lamb-vulture, as is the import of its name, does not restrict itself solely to the 

 snowy mountains on which it takes up its chief residence, but often makes considerable 

 journeys into the cultivated portion of the country, for the sake of picking up the lambs 

 .and other valley-inhabiting animals. 



The general aspect of the Lammergeyer is more like that of an eagle than a Vulture, 

 but its carriage and demeanour are devoid of that fearless, regal grandeur which is so 

 characteristic of the eagles of all lands. When flying, however, its appearance is truly 

 magnificent, and on account of its great sweep of wing and powerful flight, the size 

 of the Lammergeyer has been greatly exaggerated. Indeed, it is probable that the 

 celebrated roc which plays so important a part in the adventures of Sinbad the Sailor, 

 and in other portions of the Arabian Nights, is merely the Lammergeyer viewed through 

 the magnifying medium of Oriental exaggeration. 



