314 EGYPTIAN VULTURE. 
North-west India, but eastward its representative is a smaller form, 
LV. ginginianus, which has a yellow bill. 
The nest, built of branches, and warmly lined with hair and wool, 
has sometimes as a foundation a former abode of the Bearded 
Vulture, Raven or other large bird, and is usually placed on a ledge 
of rock ; but in Turkey it is often in cypress and other trees, while 
in Spain it is sometimes on the ilex. The 2 eggs are seldom laid in 
Europe before April 1oth; they are creamy-white, blotched and 
often richly suffused with chocolate-red: measurements 2°5 by 2 in. 
This Vulture feeds on the lowest animal and vegetable refuse, dung 
of all kinds, and bones from which the Griffons have stripped the 
flesh ; it may also be seen following the plough, with long, slow 
strides, for what it can pick up. But though repulsive in its habits 
it appears to advantage on the wing, circling round without a flap of 
its outspread pinions, or at times sweeping low over the ground, like 
a Harrier. 
The adult is white, with black primaries; the fore part of the 
head and neck being yellow and devoid of feathers ; bill horn-brown ; 
irides crimson; legs and feet flesh-colour. Length 26 in.; wing 
19 in. The young bird (represented in the vignette) is dark brown, 
with greyish head and neck; irides brown. In confinement the 
full plumage is not attained until the third year. 
