184 A PRACTICAL HANDBOOK OF BRITISH BIRDS. 



sandy-brown colouring and large size, are sufficient to identify with 

 certainty. Seen through binoculars or at close quarters primaries 

 will be found to be widely spread, with tips curving upward from 

 air pressure. Absolutely silent on the wing, it is often noisy on the 

 breeding ledges, emitting weird grunts and lowing notes. A hissing 

 noise is also occasionally heard at times of excitement, as when 

 young are endangered. (F.C.B..J.) 



Breeding-habits. — Sociable in habits, generally breeding in 

 colonies in caves or ledges of cliffs, but occasionally builds a large 

 stick-nest in tree. Nest. — When placed on ledge often of scantiest 

 description, being little more than a few bits of palmetto, or grass 

 and twigs, but large stick built nests in trees perhaps originally 

 built by other species of Raptor. Egg. — One only, though it is 

 said that two have been found. Probably in most of such cases eggs 

 have been collected by native boys from ledges where two birds 

 were breeding. Colour white, but in rare cases light or dark red 

 spots are met with. Average of 60 Spanish eggs, 92 x 70.1. Max. : 

 101.2 x 73.8 and 94 x 75. In. : 81.5 X 65 and 85 X 64.5 mm. 

 Breeding-season. — From end Jan. to March, but a few fresh eggs 

 generally in early April — possibly second layings. Incubation- 

 period. — Said to be about 50 days ; male not known to take part. 

 Single brooded. 



Food. — Mainly carrion ; chiefly dead bodies of larger mammals in 

 any stage of decay. 



Distribution. — Ireland. — One, a young bird caught alive near 

 Cork Harbour, spring, 1843. One seen near Southampton Water. 



Distribution. — Abroad. — South Europe, north to Pyrenees and 

 Transylvania, and north Africa, extending into the Sahara and 

 apparently right across the desert to Sudan and north Abyssinia, 

 east to west Asia. Accidental in France, Holland, Denmark, Baltic 

 Provinces, Germany, etc. Replaced by different subspecies in 

 parts of India and Africa, but the supposed west European form 

 (G. fulvus occidentalis Schleg.) is not separable. 



Genus NEOPHRON Sav. 



Neophron Savigny, Descr. Egypte, Zool., Syst. Ois., i, pp. 68,75 (1809 — ■ 

 Monotype : N. percnopterus). 



Fore-head to middle of crovvn, sides of head and throat without 

 feathers, but with a few bristles, neck surrounded by a full ruff 

 of hackles, extending up to hinder part of crown. On crop a large 

 bare patch, under which a bunch of down. Bill slender, cere as 

 long as tip, nostrils elongate and horizontal. Wings long and 

 pointed, 3rd primary longest. Tail wedge-shaped, 14 rectrices. 

 Outer and middle toes united at base by membrane. Eggs beauti- 

 fully marked with red-brown. One species, two or three subspecies. 

 S. Europe, Africa, western Asia to India 



