NEOPHRON GINGINIANT7S. P, 



breast and abdomen brownish, the feathers tipped with fulvous ; under tail-coverts fulvous ; under wing brown, 

 with fulvous tippings along the edge. 



With age the whole of the upper surface pales, the median wing-coverts remaining darker than the rest of the wing 

 and the back ; the sides of the neck likewise remain dark, while the rest of the under surface becomes " light 

 brownish ;" the upper tail-coverts are paler than the rump during the transition stage. Examples, however, vary 

 in their mode of acc|uiring the adult plumage, the back of the neck in some being quite blackish, while the back 

 and wing-coverts are almost white. 



Obs. This species is distinguished by Mr. Sharpe, in his ' Catalogue of Birds,' from that common to Egypt and the 

 countries surrounding the Mediterranean and Eed Seas, on account of its smaller size and yellow bill. Mr. Hume, 

 however, is unable as yet to determine whether there is any constant difference in size or colour of bill to be 

 depended on. He remarks (Str. Feath. i. p. 151) that he has " procured and measured numerous specimens in 

 many different parts of India, both of black- and yellow-billed birds, and with and without more or less of slender 

 white feathers on the throat, - ' and that he is unable to detect any marked distinction as regards size in the two. 

 When a very large series from different localities can be got together, this point may perhaps be satisfactorily 

 determined. 



Distribution. — The Scavenger-Vulture of India can only take its place in the avifauna of Ceylon as the 

 veriest straggler. An immature example made its appearance at Nuwara Elliya in March 1874, and was shot 

 by Mr. Grinlinton, of the P. W. Department, while roaming about the bazaar in search of food. Its occurrence 

 at that season of the year in the highlands of Ceylon proves it to have been driven to the south by the north- 

 east monsoon, a wind which often brings Indian Raptores, not usually found in such low latitudes, to the island. 

 It is therefore not improbable that, under similar circumstances, it may again find its way to Ceylon. 



On the continent the White Scavenger- Vulture, if it be considered distinct from the Egyptian bird, is, 

 according to Jerdon, " abundant throughout the greater part of India, being more rare in Central and Northern 

 India, and unknown in lower Bengal." Subsequent observers record it as being numerous in stated localities, 

 such as the Nilghiris, Northern Guzerat, in Sindh, Rajpootana, Khandala, and even in the subsidiai-y ranges 

 of the Himalayas, where, according to Mr. Hume, it breeds up to 8500 feet. Mr. Brooks, in a paper on the 

 birds of the Suliman hills, in ' Stray Feathers/ 1876, remarks that he found it more abundant in that locality 

 than anywhere in India, owing probably to the fact of there being no other Vultures there to dispute the 

 territory with it and rob it of its easily-earned and noxious food. 



Habits. — This Vulture, which, from its unclean propensities, is perhaps the least interesting of its family, 

 is nevertheless an important support to the somewhat deficient sanitary customs which usually obtain about 

 native villages and bazaars in India. By reason of its weak bill, it is unable to tear the flesh of carrion in 

 company with other Vultures, of which it, moreover, is said to stand in considerable fear, and it therefore subsists 

 by devouring all sorts of offal and other disgusting substances. 



It is a denizen of most towns and villages in India, and, in common with the Grey Crow, displays an utter 

 fearlessness of man, frequenting the dh-tiest native quarters, or hovering round the abattoirs, where it appeases 

 its ravenous appetite on the refuse thrown out during the night. It does not, however, confine itself to the 

 vicinity of human habitations, being often found about open country, both flat and hilly, and likewise on the 

 borders of such large sheets of water as the Sambhur lake, &c. 



Like its near ally, the Egyptian Vulture, which I have seen easily advancing with almost motionless 

 wings against a strong wind, this species has considerable powers of flight. Its usiial mode of progression 

 is with heavy and rather measured flappings of the wing ; but when collected in flocks near some tempting 

 spot it soars to a considerable height, and takes a quiet survey of the ground beneath it. It passes much of 

 its time on the ground after feeding, and stands with an erect deportment. Jerdon remarks that it walks with 

 ease, lifting its legs very high. 



Nidification. — The spots chosen by this bird to nest in are the tops of walls, buildings, temples, &c., and 

 in the upper branches of large trees in the vicinity of houses. The nests are described by various writers as 

 untidy, rather loosely-put-together structures of sticks and large twigs, with but a slight depression in the 

 centre, which is lined with rags, pieces of cloth, wool, and the many suitable substances to be found about 



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