Birds of the Indian Hills 



the wing from below appears to be white with 

 broad black edges. During flight this species 

 may be distinguished from the last by the 

 fingered tips of its wings, by both edges of the 

 wing being black and the body being dark instead 

 of white. 



The third common vulture is the Himalayan 

 griffon {Gyps himalayensis). This is distinguish- 

 able from the two species already described by 

 having no white in the wings. 



The lammergeyer or bearded vulture {Gypce- 

 tus barbatus) is the king of the vultures. 

 Some ornithologists classify it with the eagles. 

 It is a connecting link between the two families. 

 It is 4 feet in length and is known to the 

 hillmen as the Argul. 



During flight it may be recognised by the 

 whitish head and nape, the pale brown lower 

 plumage and the dark rounded tail. 



Usually it keeps to rocky hills and moun- 

 tains, over which it beats with a steady, sailing, 

 vulturine flight. Numerous stories are told 

 of its swooping down and carrying off young 

 children, lambs, goats, and other small animals. 

 Those who will may believe these stories. I 

 do not. The lammergeyer is quite content to 



make a meal of off^al, old bones, or other refuse. 



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