112 



ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS. 



ally in the country of the Namaquas, It builds its nest 

 in the fissures of the rocks, and the female lays two or 

 rarely three eggs. During the time of incubation the 

 male keeps watch at the entrance of the cavern, and 

 thus renders their retreat easy of detection ; but on the 

 other hand it is always very difficult of access. The 

 interior offers a most disgusting spectacle, and is in- 

 fected by an insupportable stench. Le Vaillant had 

 eaten of their eggs, which, to use his own expression, 

 are good enough to be made use of. As they live in 

 formidable bands, a single moxmtain sometimes conceals 

 as many nests as there are cavities fit for their recep- 

 tion. They appear to agree together exceedingly well, 

 for two or three nests are sometimes seen placed side 

 by side in the same cavern. 



The Society's specimen was brought from the Cape 

 of Good Hope in the summer of 1829, and presented 

 by the Hon. J. T. Leslie Melville. It is an adult bird, 

 of large dimensions, and appears, like most of the birds 

 of prey, to bear its captivity extremely well. 



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