38 



BIRDS. 



Almighty Beins 



Cause and support of all things, can I view 

 These objects of my wonder^ can I feel 

 These fine sensations, and not think of thee ? 



The Ornithological department of the Museum 

 contains probably a greater number of species than is 

 to be found in any other collection: they are in the 

 highest possible state of preservation, and arranged 

 in their respective families, according to the Linnaean 

 classification, in a manner that has met the approba- 

 tion of the scientific naturalist as well as the general 

 visitor; as combining the whole of the Birds of one 

 genus together, and exhibiting them in the order they 

 stand in the Systeiiui Naturce, in such a way as to 

 convey an idea of their haunts and mode of life. 



King of the Vultures (Vultur Papa). 



The Vulture is the most ravenous of tlie feathered 

 race, since he kills prey not from choice, but in 

 general devours only such animals as are dying, or 

 found dead and putrid. His sense of smelling is so 

 exquisite, that he is able to scent a dead carcass at 

 an amazing distance. *' They are/' says Pennant, 

 ** greedy and voracious to a proverb, and not timid, 

 *' for they prey in the midst of cities, undaunted by 

 '' mankind.'* In some of the battles of the East, 



