On Travel and Other Things 27 



of force exerted, by those 3-yard, pinions. With slightly reflexed 

 wings he sinks 1000 feet; then, shifting course, rises 2000, 3000 

 feet till lost to sight over some appalling skyline. You have 

 seen the long cuneate tail detlected ever so slightly — more gently 

 than a well-handled helm — but the wide lavender wingrs remain 

 rigid, not an effort that indicates force have you descried. Yet 

 the power (so defined as " horse-power") required to raise a dead- 



i 



Types of Spanish Bird-Life 



BLACK VULTURE ( VuUur monachns) 



Nests in the mountain -forests of Central Spain, and winters in Andalucia. Sketched in 

 Coto Donana — "Getting under way." 



weight of 20 lbs. through such altitudes can be calculated by 

 engineers to a nicety — how is it exerted ? That the power is 

 there is conspicuous enough, and at least it serves to explain 

 fabled traditions of giant lammergeyers hurling ibex-hunter from 

 perilous hand-hold on the crag, to feast on the remains below ; 

 or, in idler moment, bearing off untended babes to their eyries — 

 alas ! that the duty of nature-students involves dissipating all 

 such romance. 



Spain, as geologically designed, being, as to one-half of her 



