THE VULTURE. 



OF this class of birds the principal are the 

 Golden or Carrion Vulture, the Aquiline or 

 Egyptian Vulture, the Cape Vulture, and the 

 Brazilian Vulture. In one point they all have 

 a perfect resemblance ; they are filthy, indolent, 

 and rapacious, and the smell of them is offen- 

 sive. The Golden Vulture, which, if we except 

 the Condor, seems to be at the head of the 

 tribe, is about four feet and a half long, from 

 the end of the beak to that of the tail, and gene- 

 rally weighs about four or five pounds. The 

 head and neck are only covered with a few 

 scattered hairs, and the latter is covered with 

 a red skin, which at a distance gives to the 

 creature the look of a turkey ; and the eyes 

 are more prominent than those of the eagle. 

 The whole plumage is dusky, mixed with pur- 

 ple and green ; the legs are of a dirty flesh co- 



