DIURNAL BIRDS OF PREY. 



209 



upon rats, lizards, and serpents; and upon carrion or excrement, 

 when it happens to be in the waj. The flesh is so bad, that even 

 savages themselves cannot abide it. 



The Griffon Vulture is found in almost all parts of the 

 ')ld world. It is one of the largest of its group, measuring up- 

 wards of four feet in length. Like most of the vultures, it does 

 not appear to move its wings while flying, but soars on expanded 

 pinions in large circles, apparently gaining the necessary impetus 

 by the movements of its head and body, just as an accomplished 

 skater uses but little force in his various evolutions, an imper- 

 ceptible inclination of the head or sway of the body suflScing to 

 keep up the impetus gained at starting, and to bring him round 

 in any direction he chooses. 



The Egyptian Vulture The vultures peculiar to Egypt 



light in great flocks on the lay-stalls near the eity of Cairo. There 



iSgyptian Vulture. 



they feed promiscuously with dogs and other beasts on dead car- 

 cases and the most offensive offal. Mr. Hasselquist says, " that 

 they assemble with the kites every morning and evening iu the 

 18* o 



