332 RECREATIONS OF A NATURALIST 



If length of body from tip of beak to end of taiU 

 expanse of wing measured between the extended 

 tips, and weight of dead bird are to be taken as a 

 test of size, it will probably surprise many persons 

 to learn that the Lammergeier is not the largest 

 bird of prey in Europe, and that quite as large, and 

 somewhat heavier a rival has visited the British 

 Islands within the memory of those now living. I 

 refer to the great Griffon Vulture {Gyps fulvus), a 

 specimen of which, as related in Yarrell's British 

 Birds, was captured in 1843 "^^i" Cork Har- 

 bour. 



This huge bird, when adult, measures from tip 

 of beak to end of tail from 3 feet 10 in. to 4 feet i in. 

 according to sex (the females, as with most birds 

 of prey, being larger than the males) ; the expanse 

 of wing is from 8 feet 10 in. to 9 feet 2 in., and the 

 weight from 18 lb. to 20 lb. 



Not much inferior in point of size, though 

 somewhat less in weight, is the Cinereous Vulture 

 ( Vultur monackus), the male of which attains a 

 length of 3 feet 6 in. and the female 3 feet 9 in., with 

 an expanse of wing varying from 8 feett0 9feet 10 in., 

 according to age and sex, and an average weight of 

 about 14 lb., the female bird being a pound or two 

 heavier. 



An inquisitive reader may here inquire how do 

 these weights compare with those of the eagles 

 which dwell in Scotland and the Isles, as well as in 

 Ireland, and are met with from time to time in 

 England on migration, generally in autumn. 



An immature Golden Eagle from Loch Gair, ob- 



