Among the Vultures in Asia Minor. 117 



back of the head, contrasting with a neck as smooth as if it 

 had been shaved, reminds one of the tonsure of a monk, 

 while the large head and eyes, as well as the upright car- 

 riage of the bird, give it a dignity that maiks it as superior 

 to the common species. In its habits, too, the Monk Vul- 

 ture is more secluded than the gregarious Gryphon. 



The only remaining variety that a traveler in Asia Minor 

 may expect to see is the Bearded Vulture {Grypcctus bar- 

 batus), the famous Lammergeyer of Switzerland. But aside 

 from the authority of the naturalists, according to which this 

 bird is not a true vulture, even a slight acquaintance with its 

 striking and attractive qualities must insure it a distinct 

 place in the mind of an observer, a place which it has long 

 held in the popular imagination. Yet this bird of Alpine 

 summits and abysses, and of romantic courage and fierce- 

 ness, may often be seen in tame environments and under 

 prosaic conditions. But wherever seen, its fine form, hand- 

 some plumage and spirited eye compel our admiration, and 

 we call it a noble bird. 



In traveling through any vulture district one must be con- 

 tent as a rule to watch the birds at a distance, in their soar- 

 ing flight, an exhibition of organic mechanism well worth 

 studying. But to make a closer acquaintance one must take 

 time for stalking, baiting, and ambush. 



With something left of the youthful eagerness with which 

 I used to set out on a vain hunt for the big game of the up- 

 per air, I started up the mountain one clear morning two 

 summers ago, with the intention of decoying and securing a 

 specimen of one of the larger vultures. Instead of the anti- 

 quated shot-gun, on which my boyish endeavors had to rely, 

 I was equipped with a forty-four caliber Winchester repeat- 

 ing rifle, which formidable destroyer, be it remembered, 

 could only enter the country of the Turk when brought per- 

 sonally by an American consul — a favor done for us by 

 Consul Jewett, of Sivas. 



The occasion of the vulture hunt was the demand for 

 specimens to be set up in the new but promising attempt at 



