VULTURE. 



Noftrils differing in different fpecies. 

 , Tongue large and flefhy. 



Head, cheeks, and often neck, either naked, or covered only 

 with down, or fhort hairs ; the neck retraclile. 



Craw often hanging over the breaft. 



Legs and feet covered with great fcales ; the firfl joint of the 

 middle toe connected to that of the outmofl by a ftrong mem- 

 brane. 



Claws large, little hooked, and very blunt. 



Infides of the wings covered with down. 



The bill, according to Linnaeus, would feem to characferife 

 this genus; but, in my opinion, is not fufEcient, as that of many 

 of the Falcon genus is ftrait at the bafe likewife, though, for the 

 rhoft part, the point is more crooked and fharp than in the Vul- 

 ture. — The wanr of feathers on part of the head, and fometimes 

 the whole head and neck, with the manners below mentioned, 

 feem to make a better diftin&ion ; but after all, not fo clear as 

 one would wifh. 



It has been obferved, that the true Vulture does not kill it's prey 

 by choice ; coveting only fuch animals as are found dead, and be- 

 coming putrid. Indeed, it has been obferved, that large flocks 

 have alighted on a fick or maimed animal, and, attacking it all 

 together, finifhed it's exiftence : but I will only fuppofe that to 

 happen when much preffed by hunger; all authors agreeing, 

 that, if left to themfelves, they would rather feed on flefh which 

 inclines to putridity, than on frefh meat. Their fmell, for this 

 purpofe, is exquifite '; fcenting a carcafe many miles off, and 

 flying to it from all quarters. 



In this circumftance of their difpofition I am clear, from the Car- 

 rion 



