On the groups of the Vulturidce. 373 



at least a thinness in the plumage. This character, although of 

 course not the effect of the food of the Fultures, for they exhibit 

 it at all ages, is yet strongly indicative of the nature of it ; and 

 when we consider the ravenous and rev-iUing manner of their feed- 

 ing,* the absence of the feathers of the head and neck appears 

 singularly appropriate to them. It may be noticed, in addition, 

 that this nakedness is more or less extensive over these parts in 

 the different groups of the family, in proportion as their food is 

 more or less exclusively confined to putrid matter. 



* The following description quoted by Dr. Latham from Kolben will shew 

 the mode in which these birds sometimes take their food. " Kolben remarks 

 that an hundred or sometimes more will attack an ox or cow retired from 

 labour, sick, and faint; and falling all at once upon him, soon devour him: 

 they begin by making a hole in the belli/, and thrusting in their heads, pick 

 the flesh from the bones, still leaving the skin to cover them." Gen. Syn, Sup. 

 p. 2. Ed. 1787. The continuator of Wilson's Ornithology, referring to this 

 account of Kolben, confirms the view he gives of the mode of feeding of the 



Vultures. " These we conjecture to be Black Vultures, they being in the 



habit of mining into the bellies of dead animals to feed upon the contents." 

 Am. Orn. vol. IX. p. 101. It was an accurate observation of such scenes in 

 nature that suggested the painful picture of the Vulture preying upon Tityus, 

 originally introduced by Homer, and afterwards imitated, or alluded to, by so 

 many succeeding poets. 



Yixt Tirvov Eidov, yxivis t^iKvoeos viov 



Ksiixsvov sv oacTTsoic. — — 



TvTre 3e (a.iv IxarspSs 'jrx^vi^ivco 'HITAP busi^ov^ 



AEPTPON isn ATNONTE2. 



Odyss. XI. 575. 



Nee non et Tityon, Terras omniparentis alumnum, 



Cernere erat, 



rostro inmanis Voltur obunco 



Imniortale jecur tondens, fecundaque pcenis 

 Viscera, rimaturque epulis, habitatque sub alto 



Pectore. 



JEn. VI. 595. 

 Viscera praebebat Tityos lanianda. 



Ovid. Met. IV. 456. 



Jugeribusque novem qui summus distat ab imo 

 Fisceraque assiduae debita proebet av 



Id. Ibis. 181. 



Porrectusque novem Tityus per jugera terrae, 

 Assiduas atro viscere pascit avcs. 



Tibul.Eleg. I. III. 75. 



