THE ALPINE, OR EGYPTIAN VULTURE. 25 



truth of the matter. The following account has been kindly transmitted to me by Captain 

 Drayson, who has already contributed much original information to the present work. 



"Having shot an ourebi early in the morning, and when about three miles from home, I 

 was not desirous of carrying the animal behind my saddle during the day's shooting, and I 

 therefore sought for some method of concealment by which to preserve the dead quarry from 

 jackals and Vultures. An ant-bear's hole offered a very convenient hiding-place, into which 

 the buck was pushed, and the carcase was covered over with some grass cut for the purpose. 

 As usual in South Africa, there were some Vultures wheeling round at an enormous height 

 above the horizon ; these I believed would soon come down and push aside the grass and tear 

 off the most assailable parts of the buck. There was, however, no better means of protection, 

 so I left the animal and rode away. When at about a quarter of a mile from the ant-bear's 

 hole, I thought that it might be interesting to watch how the Vultures would approach and 

 commence operations, so I ' off-saddled,' and kept watch. 



" After about half an hour, I saw a Vulture coming down from the sky, followed by two or 

 three others. They came down to the spot where the buck had been killed, and flew past this. 

 They then returned, and again overshot the mark. After circling several times within a 

 radius of four hundred yards, they flew away. Other Vultures then came and performed 

 similar manoeuvres, but not one appeared to know where the buck was concealed. I then rode 

 off to a greater distance, but the same results occurred. 



" In the evening I returned for my buck, which, however, was totally useless in consequence 

 of the intense heat of the sun, but which had not been touched by the Vultures." 



Whatever may be the general opinion of the scientific world upon this subject, I cannot 

 but think that we shall not discern the true cause of this food-discovering power in the optic 

 or nasal nerve, or indeed in any material structure whatever. It appears to be simply due to 

 that wonderful intuitive teaching which we popularly call instinct, and which, if rightly 

 examined, will most surely prove a key to many mysteries at present unsolved. 



The color of the Fulvous Vulture is a yellowish-brown over the greater part of the 

 body. The quill feathers of the tail and wings are nearly black, the ruff surrounding the base 

 of the neck is composed of long and delicately white slender feathers, and the head and neck 

 are sparingly clothed with short white down. 



In its native state the Fulvous Vulture assumes some very curious attitudes, and has the 

 power of altering the contour of its body so completely that it would hardly be recognized as 

 the same bird. At one time it sits upon the branch of a tree in a heavy, indolent manner, its 

 neck hidden in the ruff, and the head just projecting from the feathers. At another time it 

 will be full of life and animation, pacing round the carcase of some animal, tugging furiously 

 at the skin, and snapping fiercely at its companions if they should approach too closely. One 

 remarkable attitude which it is fond of assuming is rather difficult to describe, but has so 

 strange and weird-like an aspect, that it is deserving of mention. While sitting on the 

 ground, the Vulture thrusts its legs well to the front, and instead of resting upon the feet, 

 holds them up in the air and sustains the weight of its body upon the tail and ankle bones. 

 Thus supported, it seems quite at its ease, and reclines with half-spread wings, as if thor- 

 oughly enjoying its repose. 



Like others of its tribe, the Fulvous Vulture, when satiated with food, will retire to a 

 neighboring tree-branch, and sit listlessly with hanging wings, as if to rid its feathers of the 

 putrid animal substance on which it has been feeding. It is very probable that the bird may 

 receive great aid from the yellow feather-dust which is so copiously poured from the short 

 and open quills that are found so abundantly upon this and other similar birds, and that by 

 means of quiet repose, aided by the fresh air and a few hearty shakes, the bird may be able to 

 throw off the powder and the putrefaction together. 



The Alpine, or Egyptian Vulture, is, as its name imports, an inhabitant of Egypt 

 and Southern Europe. It is also found in many parts of Asia. 



The general color of the adult bird is nearly white, with the exception of the quill feathers 

 of the wing, which are dark brown. The face, bill, and legs are bright yellow, so that the 



Vol. II.— i. 



