Z VULTURE. 



Neck, retractile. Craw, often hanging- over the breast. Legs 

 and feet covered with great scales. The outer toe joined to the middle 

 one bv a strong niendjrane. 



Claws large, not much hooked, and blunt. 



It may be observed, that the shape of the bill does not sufli- 

 ciently characterise this genns, as many -of the Falcons have it strait 

 at the base likewise, tliough, for the most part, the point is more 

 crooked and sharp than in the Vulture. Perhaps the scarcity of 

 feathers on the head and neck, and in jnany a total want of them, 

 may form a better distinction. 



It is by all agreed, that no trne Vulture will kill its prey, 

 coveting only such animals as are already dead, and becoming 

 putrid. Though it is mentioned, that large iiocks of them some- 

 times alight on a sick or maimed animal, and, attacking it altogether, 

 finish its existence, but this may be supposed to happen only when 

 pressed by extreme hunger, as authors inform us, that when left to 

 themselves they rather prefer flesh already tainted than fresh meat, 

 and their sense of smelling being exquisite, they are enabled to 

 scent a dead carcase many miles off, and accordingly fly to it from 

 all quarters. 



In this circumstance of their disposition I am clear, in respect 

 to the Carrion Vulture of Jamaica — two of which I kept alive for 

 some time in my garden. Tliey would, indeed, eat raw flesh, but 

 expressed particxdar pleasure when any tainted food was offered 

 them — fluttering a's ith expanded wings, and falling on with double 

 appearance of appetite, as well as devouring twice the C[xiantity as 

 at other times. 



It is obser\'ed that Vultures, in general, are fewer in number in 

 ju'oportion to the coldness of the climate, and in the more northern 

 regions, are wholly wanting. A kind disposition of providence this, 

 lest tlie putrid effluvia of the dead, should, in the hotter countries, 

 too much injure the health of the living. However, some will be 

 found, wherein both the Vulture and Falcon are so strongly marked. 



