238 EAGLES. 
The general colour of the adult bird is nearly white, with the exception of 
the quill feathers of the wing, which are dark brown. The face, bill, and 
legs are bright yellow, so that the aspect of the bird is sufficiently curious, 
The sexes are clothed alike when adult. On account of the colour of its 
plumage, the Egyptian Vulture, is popularly termed the WHITE CROW by 
the Dutch colonists, and AKBOBAS, or White Father, by the Turks. It is 
also familiarly known by the name of PHARAOH’S CHICKEN, because it is 
so frequently represented in the hieroglyphical inscriptions of Egypt. When 
young the colour of its plumage is a chocolate brown, the neck and shoulders 
are covered with grey-tipped feathers, and the beak and feet are a very dull 
ochry yellow. The white plumage of the adult state is not attained until the 
vird Fis completed its third year. 
As is the case with the Vultures in general, the Egyptian Vulture is 
protected from injury by the strictest laws, a heavy penalty being laid 
upon any one who should wilfully destroy one of these useful birds Secure 
under its human protection, the bird walks fearlessly about the streets of its 
native land, perches upon the houses, and, in common with the pariah dogs, 
soon clears away any refuse substances that are thrown into the open streets 
in those evil-smelling and undrained localities. This bird will eat almost 
anything which is not too hard for its beak, and renders great service to the 
husbandman by devouring myriads of lizards, rats, and mice, which would 
render all cultivation useless were not their numbers kept within limits by 
the exertion of this useful Vulture. It has been also seen to feed on the 
nara, a rough water-bearing melon, in common with cats, leopards, mice, 
ostriches, and many other creatures. ‘The eggs of: the ostrich are said to 
be a favourite food with the Egyptian Vulture, who is unable to break their 
strong shells with his beak, but attains his object by carrying a great pebble 
in the air, and letting it drop upon the eggs. 
The wings of this species are extremely long in proportion to the size of 
the bird, and their lofty soaring flight is peculiarly graceful. It is but a small 
bird in comparison with many of those which have already been mentioned, 
being not much larger than the common rook of Europe. The nest of the 
Egyptian Vulture is made upon the shelf or in the cleft of a lofty rock, and 
the grey-white eggs are three or four in number. It is a curious fact, that 
during the season of reproduction the male bird slightly changes his aspect, 
the yellow bill becoming orange, and retaining that tint until the breeding 
season is over. Like many rapacious animals and birds, the Egyptian 
Vulture does not disdain to feed on insects, and has been observed in the 
act of following a ploughman along his furrows, picking up the worms and 
grubs after the fashion of the common rook, 
EAGLES. 
NEXT in order to the Vultures are placed the splendid birds which are so 
familiar to us under the general title of Eagles, and which form the first 
group of the great family Falconide, which includes the Eagies, Falcons, 
and Hawks. 
The first and one of the finest of these grand birds is the well-known 
GOLDEN EacLe. This magnificent bird is spread over a large portion of 
the world, being found in the British Islands, and in various parts of Europe, 
Asia, Africa, and America. The colour of this bird is a rich blackish brown 
on the greater part of the body, the head and neck being covered with 
feathers of a rich golden red, which have earned for the bird its popular 
name. The legs and sides of the thighs are grey-brown, and the tail is a 
