76 WANDERINGS OF A 



circles around his quarry. Some sweep within a few yards 

 of him, others are soaring at higher elevations, and even at 

 such vast altitudes that the huge bearded vulture appears 

 only as a smaU. speck in the blue sky, but gradually it becomes 

 more distinct as its wide gyrations increase. It may gather 

 itself up and close its wings, or dash in one fell swoop hun- 

 dreds of feet, and the next minute is seen perched on the 

 jutting rock beside him. Such, then, are the usual appear- 

 ances observed soon after the death of a large animal, and the 

 hunter wonders whence all these great vultures and carrion- 

 crows have come ; but if, immediately after his noble ibex has 

 rolled down the crag, he directs his eyes heavenward, he will 

 observe carrion-crows or vultures, at various distances and 

 elevations, sailing leisurely about, whilst the one nearest to 

 him, observing the death of his quarry, instantly commences 

 to descend ; then one follows the other until the valley re- 

 sounds with the hoarse croakings of the crows, and the air 

 seems alive with them. It is surprising the numbers that 

 are sometimes observed to congregate on these occasions ; I 

 have seen no less than sixty vultures and crows on and 

 around the carcase of a newly-kiUed bear.' 



This subject is beautifully described by Longfellow in his 

 " Song of Hiawatha," — 



" Never stoops the soaring vulture 

 On his quarry in the desert, 

 On the sick or wounded bison, 

 But another vulture watching, 

 From his high aeriel look-out, 

 Sees the downward plunge and follows ; 

 And a third pursues the second, 

 Coming from the invisible ether, 

 First a speck, and then a vulture, 

 'Till the air is dark with pinions.'' 



