VULTURE. $ 



rlon Vultures of Jamaica ; two of which I kept for fome time. 

 They would indeed eat any raw flefh, but expreffed a particular 

 happinefs when any tainted food was offered them ; fluttering 

 with expanded wings, without ceafing, and falling on with double 

 the appearance of appetite, as well as devouring twice the quan- 

 tity, as at other times. 



It is obferved, that Vultures, in general, are leaft numerous in 

 proportion to the coldnefs of the climate ; and in the more 

 northern ones, they are wholly wanting. — A kind difpofition of 

 ■Providence this! left the putrid effluvia of the dead fhould, in the 

 hotter regions, too much injure the health of the living. 



Notwithftanding what has been faid towards defining the ge- 

 nus, fome will be found, wherein both the Vulture and Falcon arc 

 fo ftrongly marked, as to render it doubtful where to place them. 

 In this cafe, the manners muft be taken in, if they can be known. 

 Mr. Pennant juftly obferves, that they are " greedy and voracious 

 " to a proverb, and not timid*; for they prey in the midft of ci- 

 " ties, undaunted by mankind." 



* This circumftance, perhaps, may arife from their not being perfecuted by 

 man ; which happens to the greater part of birds, whofe chance it is either to 

 to be accounted as obnoxious by him, or are fuitable to his appetite for food.— 

 The Storks in Holland are a proof of this ; walking boldly in the middle of the 

 fireets, as if they knew none would hurt them : which is truly the cafe; as that 

 perfon thinks himfelf fortunate, who has a neft of one of thefe on his chimney. 

 And if a ftranger mould kill one purpofely, he would run great chance of 

 lofing his life by the enraged multitude. 



This tamenefs of the volatile part of the creation in general, when not an- 

 noyed by man, is manifeft, fiom the accounts of our circumnavigators ; who in- 

 form us, that on the more defart places where they touched, birds of all kinds 

 were fo familiar, as not to fly away at their approach ; regarding them more as 

 cbje&s of wonder than fear. 



B 2 Vultur 



