140 THE VULTURE. 



suddenly surrounded by a flight of these birds, who 

 actually carried off the flesh, notwithstanding the 

 efforts made to drive away or destroy them by 

 shouting, throwing, and even shooting at them. As 

 fast as one dropped, others supplied his place. 

 Another English traveller, who marched for some 

 days with an army in Abyssinia, in a different part 

 of Africa, speaks of their numbers as to be com- 

 pared to the sand of the sea, extending over the 

 troops like a black cloud; they were also more 

 courageous than some other species, for he once 

 saw one strike an Eagle to the ground, which had 

 accidentally straggled into a host of Vultures, as- 

 sembled to feed on the dead soon after a battle. 



They are, however, sometimes more dainty in their 

 choice of food; as in Egypt, where, during the season 

 when crocodiles and alligators lay their eggs in the 

 sand, these cunning birds will sit, hid in the leaves 

 of the trees, watching the females coming on shore 

 to lay their eggs, which, when laid, they cover care- 

 fully with sand, thinking, no doubt, that they are 

 thus safe from all danger, and sure to be hatched in 

 regular course of time, by the warmth of the soil, 

 heated as it is by the sun; but no sooner does 

 she retire, than the concealed birds glide down, and 

 with claws, wings, and beak, tear away the sand, 

 and quickly devour the hidden treasures. 



A dead crocodile or alligator is equally acceptable, 

 but as these reptiles are furnished with strong horny 

 or scaly coats, like armour, much too strong to be 

 opened and broken into, by either beaks or claws, 

 the Vultures are often obliged to wait for a long 

 time, until the hide of the carcass loosens, and affords 



