GYPAETlNiE. 15 



Europe it is said to carry off lambs (hence the German Swiss name 

 of Lammergeyer), kids, young chamois, and even children. It is also 

 said to hurl chamois, and even on the Himalayas Ovis, Ammon off 

 precipitous cliffs by a sudden swoop, to feed on the mangled carcases. 



In Africa, it is said to feed on reptiles, tortoises, which it drops 

 on the rocks, &c. It is said to be a stupid, tuisociable bird when 

 captured. Its flight, however, is described as being most majestic, 

 strong, swift, and easy, resembling that of the Albatross, and skim- 

 mino- for miles without any perceptible motion of his wings. On 

 the ground its gait is awkward, the head and neck held erect, 

 and the feet lifted off the ground, like those of Neophron. It has 

 a hoarse croak when angry. It breeds on some inaccessible cliff, 

 forming a huge nest, and laying one or two white eggs (April and 

 May). It is said by some to differ from the European bird in 

 the dark gorget, more tawny hue, of the lower surface, and in the 

 1st quill being 3-i- inches shorter than the 3rd, whilst in the 

 European bird it is said only to be a very little shorter. 



The rusty colour of the lower parts is perhaps partly due to a 

 rust-coloured powder, secreted, according to Adams, in quantities 

 among tlie feathers of the neck and lower parts. 



I extract the following interesting account of the habits of this 

 fine bird from the notes of a late observer. Dr. Adams, P. Z. S. 

 1858, p. 467:— 



"The Bearded Vulture does not strictly confine itself to live 

 animals ; for on the hill stations at daybreak, among the first camp- 

 scaveno-ers, it is seen sailing leisurely along the mountain-sides in 

 search of offal and remse. Yet, with all, the Lammergeier is a 

 noble-looking bird, either when feeding in camp, or hunting for 

 prey on the more distant mountains. When thus employed, he 

 flies low, keeping within a few yards of the ground, and describes 

 circles on the mountain-side until he has beaten it from top to 

 bottom. The Bearded Vulture is easily distinguished on wing 

 from any other species by the long sharp-pointed wings and tall. 

 There are few rapacious birds possessing greater powers of 

 flight, although generally to be seen sailing quietly and slowly 

 along the mountain-sides, flapping now and then his long wings 



