NATURAL HISTORY. 197 



6yes the exact position of the animal. The olfactory nerves cf 

 the Yulture are beautifully developed, so that "Waterton had 

 reason for his pathetic remark, " I never thought I should 

 have lived to see this bird deprived of its nose." 



The GRIFFON VULTURE is found in almost all parts of the 

 old world. It is one of the largest of its group, measuring 

 upwards of four feet in length. Like most of the vultures, it 

 does not appear to move its wings while flying, but soars en 

 expanded pinions in large circles, apparently gaining the ne- 

 cessary impetus by the movements of its head and body, just 

 as an accomplished skater uses but little force in his various 

 evolutions, an imperceptible inclination of the head or sway 

 of the body sufficing to keep up the impetus gained at starting, 

 and to bring him round in any direction he chooses. 



Vultures are generally protected by the natives of the 

 countries where they reside, on account of their great utility 

 in cleaning away the putrid animal matter, which would other- 

 wise be exceedingly injurious as well as disagreeable. The 

 Turkey Buzzard or John Crow ( Cathartes Aura), or Jamaican 

 vulture, is protected by a fine of five pounds inflicted on any 

 one who destroys the bird within a certain distance of the 

 principal towns. Waterton's account of this bird is very in- 

 teresting, and well worthy of notice. There are many species 

 of vultures inhabiting different countries, but their habits as 

 w r ell as their forms are so familiar that a detailed description 

 of each is needless, 



EAGLES. 



The Falconidce hold the same place among birds as the 

 FelidsB among terrestrial quadrupeds. The beak of this fam- 

 ily is strong and curved, and the feet furnished with sharp 

 talons, just as the Felida3 are armed with long sharp teeth 

 and powerful claws. The Falconidre differ from the Vulturidso 

 in having feathered necks, and in killing their prey and de- 

 vouring it while fresh. 



At the head of the Falconidae the EAGLES are placed. In 

 them the wings are large, powerful, and slightly rounded, the 



