66 CASSELL'S BOOK OF BIRDS. 



prevent their exercising even an ordinary amount of cunning. Indolent they are not, though they 

 frequently linger for hours on the same spot with dishevelled plumage and drooping wings ; but, this 

 period of inanition over, they prove themselves capable of walking well upon the ground, and exhibit 

 great command of wing and power of flight whilst skimming lightly and easily, if not rapidly, through 

 the realms of air. All the divisions of our earth, with the exception of New Holland, afford a home 

 to one or other of the various members of this extensive group ; the greater number, however, belong 

 to the Eastern Hemisphere. They are as often found on burning and barren plains as on the 

 pinnacles of lofty mountains, from which they soar to a height unattainable by almost any other bird. 

 Such species as frequent highland regions are the most stationary in their habits, although to none of 

 them is that word strictly applicable, their strength of wing enabling them to sweep with ease over the 

 whole face of the country they inhabit. Every town of Africa, Asia, and South America, is visited by 

 a constant succession of these winged scavengers, who clear away a mass of refuse that would other- 

 wise engender pestilence ; while other species confine their attention to keeping the plains and fields 

 clear from carcases that would taint the air with death. In India, according to Professor Behn, 

 it is no uncommon thing to see a Vulture perched upon a corpse floating down the river Ganges, 

 endeavouring, with outspread wings, to steer it to the neighbouring bank, there to be devoured. 

 Occasionally, should the pangs of hunger become very keen, these birds have been known to attack 

 sick, but still living animals ; they prefer the dead carcases of quadrupeds to any other food, but will 

 also eat reptiles or even fish, and we have seen them engaged in demolishing the remains of a 

 crocodile. We are told that they are gregarious, and often fly together in flocks to seek for carrion, 

 wheeling in large intersecting circles over the country, and thus obtaining a view of its whole surface ; 

 twenty birds will, in this manner, easily survey an area of as many miles. Some fly at a great height, 

 while others keep near the ground, so that every spot is thoroughly inspected ; when one of the 

 party perceives a dead animal, it wheels round so as to announce the discovery to its nearest com- 

 panions, who, followed by others from a greater distance, hasten to share the feast ; all, even the most 

 remote, steering in a straight line for the desired spot — to which it was formerly erroneously supposed 

 they were directed by the extreme acuteness of their sense of smell. When the skin of the deceased 

 animal is too tough to be rent asunder, the Vultures linger around it, or on the neighbouring trees, 

 where they are joined by others of their kind, all eager to share in the banquet ; from time to time 

 they examine the carcase, testing its state with feet and claws, and as soon as it has attained the 

 requisite degree of putridity, fall eagerly to work, the strongest driving off the weaker, who retaliate 

 with all the rage of disappointed hunger, hissing and combating for portions already partially 

 swallowed, and burying their nostrils in the flesh, although every minute compelled to desist in 

 order to clear them from the moist filth which chokes them and stops their breathing. At length 

 by continuing these vigorous attacks, the carcase is soon demolished, and nothing remains but the 

 bare skeleton. 



When satiated with the disgusting repast, they usually retire to some quiet spot, there to repose 

 until the process of digestion is accomplished. Many hours are usually required for this purpose, after 

 which they go down to the water to drink and take a bath, the latter being eminently necessary to 

 creatures that generally rise from their repast covered with blood and filth of every description. 

 After bathing they again seek repose for some hours, either lying down upon the sand, or standing 

 with wings outstretched in such a manner as to allow the sun to warm them ; but if disturbed during 

 these siestas, it is not uncommon for the Vulture to disgorge its food, previous to seeking safety in 

 flight. Trees or rocks are usually selected as resting-places for the night. Recent experiments have 

 fully proved that the many tales told respecting the distance at which the Vulture can detect carrion 

 are mere fables; they certainly possess the sense of smell, but by no means to the extraordinary 



