PROCEEDINGS 
OF THE 
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON. 
January 10, 1854. 
H. F. Walter, Esq., in the Chair. 
The following papers were read :— 
1. Norres on THE Hasits oF INDIAN Birps.—Part I. 
By Lieut. BurcGeEss. 
Order I. Raprores. 
Family VuLtuRIDz. 
Genus VuLTUR. 
VuLtTurR PonpiceRiANus. BuLack VULTURE. 
This Vulture, as far as I have had opportunities of observing it, is 
much more common in the Deccan than either the large (Vultur Indi- 
cus) or the small brown Vulture (Vultur Bengalensis). I have never, 
however, seen more than two or three together, and these generally 
in the neighbourhood of the low ranges of hills which intersect that 
part of the country. As this bird has doubtless been already figured, 
it is not my purpose in these notes to enter into any further descrip- 
tion of it, but merely to state what I have observed of its habits, 
food, manner and time of nesting, with any other information regard- 
ing it which I may have gained by actual investigation, or learned 
from credible sources. In its habits the Black Vulture, I should cer- 
tainly say, is not gregarious; I do not remember to have seen more 
than four or five together, and then it has been for the purpose of 
partaking of a social meal. It flies in circles with the wings extended, 
apparently without motion, and their tips pointed upwards, the legs 
being stretched out beneath the tail. The food of this Vulture con- 
sists of decaying animal substances ; one which I shot drinking in a 
No. CCLX.—ProcerepDInGs or THE ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 
