Descriptive List of the Common Birds 
in most places where there are large jhils or 
backwaters. 
The Vultures, 141-145 
These are huge birds of prey which feed ex- 
clusively on carrion. They are distinguished 
by the fact that their head and neck are 
destitute of feathers. A large bird of prey 
with bare head and neck is undoubtedly a 
vulture. 
Vultures, as everyone knows, stay for hours 
floating on outstretched wings high up in the 
air, looking out for dead animals. Kites and 
other birds of prey remain for long periods on 
the wing; they, too, can sail and soar, but 
they do not literally hang in the air as the 
vultures do. As these latter float in the air it 
will be observed that their wings project 
straight out at right angles to the body. The 
commonest species of vulture are : 
141. Otogyps caluus: The Black or Pon- 
dicherry Vulture. (F. 1191), (J. 2), (+V, 
nearly twice the size of the kite.) 
A black bird with a red head, a white waist- 
coat, and a white patch on each thigh. 
Rare in the Punjab and Sind. 
142. Gyps indicus : The Indian Long-billed 
M 177 
