2 NORTHERN SOCIABLE VULTURE. 
In the north of Africa, however, there is another closely allied species 
— if it is even specifically distinct, which has occurred in Europe, and 
which it is therefore necessary to describe and figure here. 
In the description of the first edition Mr. Gurney considered that V. 
auricularis was identical with the V. nubicus of Smith, and the V. 
cegypius of Temminck. That gentleman has however now altered his 
opinion. He writes to me, "I have no doubt that the northern form 
of this Vulture has occurred in Europe. The only question is whether 
this northern form should be considered specifically distinct. Mr. 
"Bartlctt who has had much experience of both forms in the Zoological 
Gardens, believes them to be distinct, and now I am of the same 
opinion." 
"The northern bird is always more clothed with short down on the 
head and neck, and those parts are less red than in the southern bird 
(V. auricularis;) the northern has a less average development of the 
flaps of skin on the sides of the neck." Subsequently I received the 
following letter from Mr. Gurney: — 
"We have in the Norwich Museum three of these Vultures: — 
No. 1. — from Abyssinia, 
No. 2. — said to be from Algeria, 
No. 3. — said to be from Greece. 
I have compared all these with your description, and find that it 
agrees with the following exceptions : — 
First. — There is no down collar, although there is down mingled with 
the feathers on the upper side of the lower end of the neck. 
Second. — No flap appears except in No. 1., and in this, as in V. 
auricularis, they are not what I should call 'nuchal,' but on the sides 
of the neck. 
Third. — In Nos. £ and 3, the head and bare parts of neck are 
sparingly covered with short white down. 
In No. 1. only, the roots of the down are visible, leaving these parts 
apparently bare, as in the adult of V. auricularis. 
Fourth. — In all three (as in V. auricularis) the chin has a tuft of 
long black bristles pointing downwards towards the breast, like the 
beard of Gppaetos, but less numerous and lying flat on the skin between 
the rami of the jaws. 
Fifth. — All three specimens have a good deal of white down mingled 
with the brown down which covers the thighs, while our South African 
bird, which is probably immature (being without flaps) has the thighs 
wholly brown. 
Sixth. — We have only one South African specimen of V. auricularis 
