104 ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS. 



no other mode of satiating its appetite presents itself, 

 that it has recourse to the destruction of other animals 

 for its subsistence. 



After feeding it is seen fixed for hours in one 

 unvaried posture, patiently waiting until the work of 

 digestion is completed and the stimulus of hunger is 

 renewed, to enable and to urge it to mount again into 

 the upper regions of the air and fly abroad in quest of 

 its necessary food. If violently disturbed after a full 

 meal, it is incapable of flight until it has disgorged the 

 contents of its stomach, lightened of which, and freed 

 from their debilitating effects, it is immediately in a 

 condition to soar to such a pitch as, in spite of its 

 magnitude, to become invisible to human sight. 



In captivity it appears to have no other desire than 

 that of obtaining its regular supply of food. So long 

 as that is afforded it, it manifests a perfect indifference 

 to the circumstances in which it is placed. The indi- 

 vidual figured has been for three years an inhabitant 

 of the Garden, and was for many years previous in the 

 possession of Joshua Brookes, Esq., by whom it was 

 presented to the Society. 



