26 Remarks in Defence of the Author 



It now remains for naturalists to account for the errors 

 which have for so many ages existed, with regard to the 

 power of scent ascribed to our vuhures. Indeed it is 

 highly probahle that the facts elicited from the experiments 

 of Audubon on our two species of vulture, strengthened by 

 those instituted on this occasion, may apply to ail the rest 

 of the genus. Without having had many opportunities 

 of observation, I am inclined to doubt the extraordinary 

 powers of smell ascribed to the Condor of the Andes^ (C, 

 gryphus, Lm.J and it would be advisable to make farther 

 experiments on the vultures of southern Europe and 

 Africa. Perhaps it may yet be discovered that all the 

 birds belonging to this genus are altogether indebted to 

 the eye in their search after food. Indeed I am of opinion 

 that whilst in quadrupeds (particularly carnivorous ones) 

 the facuhy of scent is their peculiar province, this organ 

 is but imperfectly developed in birds. As it does how- 

 ever exist, though in an inferior degree, I am not dis* 

 posed to deny to birds the power of smell altogether, 

 nor would I wish to advance the opinion that the 

 vulture does not possess the faculty of smelling ia the 

 slightest degree, although it has not been manifested by 

 our experiments. All that I contend for is, that he is not 

 assisted by this faculty In procuring his food* That he 

 cannot smell better, for instance, than hawks or owls, 

 who it is known are indebted to their sight altogether, in 

 discovering their prey. If our vultures had to depend 

 on their olfactory powers alone, in procuring food, what 

 would become of them in cold winters ? In Kentucky, 

 for instance, where they remain all the year, and where 

 the earth is bound up with frost for months at a time, and 

 where consequently, during that period, putridity does not 

 take place. If they had to depend alone on tainted meat 

 for food, how soon would the whole race (at least in our 

 temperate climates) die of hunger. 



