AVES. 299- 



its affinities are with the FalconidcB near the Milvince, 

 and not with the Vultures. The appearance when 

 standing on the ground is certainly somewhat like that 

 of Neophron percnopterus, but this bird is itself a 

 •very aberrant member of the Vulturidce. The flight 

 of the Lammergeyer is very fine, equalling that of a 

 Vulture.^ It keeps much to precipices. 



Some authors consider the Abyssinian Lammergeyer 

 as only a variety of the Alpine and Himalayan one. 

 Yet the differences between the two birds are very 

 considerable. Gypaetos mendionalis, in addition to its 

 naked tarsi and deeper coloration, is very much smaller 

 than the European and Asiatic race, as the following 

 measurements of two birds shot at Senaf^ show. The 

 dimensions were taken in the flesh : — 



Young female. Old male. 

 ft. in. ft. in. 



Length 37 33 



Extent of wings 80 74 



Length of closed wing 25 23 



„ tarsus ,...04J — 



„ middle toe 4^ — 



„ beak to gape 4 — 



The European Lammergeyer is i\ ft. long, and has an 

 extent of 10 ft. according to Naumann. In the Hima- 

 layan bird the male measures 46 in. in length, 9 ft. in 



' Few, who have not been in the habit of seeing Vultures, can easily con- 

 ceire what noble birds they are when on the wing. The sluggish, slovenly, 

 ugly scavenger becomes at once a different being, with the most graceful and 

 powerful flight. The manner in which they can fly around crags, keeping 

 themselves in swift motion apparently for an indefinite time, rising, falling, 

 or soaiinc in circles without moving their wings or tail, except to guide 

 themselves, is simply marvellous. 



