THE EGYPTIAN VULTURE. 187 



Field-characters. — -Not usually sociable like Griffon, but generally 

 met with singly or in pairs, soaring with rigid wings . Has character- 

 istic outline of Vultures, rectangular, with retracted head and widely 

 spread primaries, but may be at once distinguished from Griffon 

 by wedge-shaped tail, smaller size, and in adult, by bold black 

 and white colouring. At great distances there is a strong likeness 

 to White Stork, but with glasses long neck, extended in flight and 

 legs carried beyond the tail, readily distinguish Stork. Juvenile 

 birds may be identified by shape of tail. A silent species on the 

 wing. (F.C.R.J.) 



Breeding-habits. — Usually breeds in caves or on ledges in low 

 cliffs, occasionally at considerable heights and has been known to 

 nest in trees, and buildings, but rarely. Nest. — Very variable in 

 size, as same site may be occupied for many years, and when room 

 is sufficient, nest may become very bulky. Composed of all kinds 

 of rubbish, bones, palmetto, twigs, rags, dung, hair, etc. Eggs. — 

 Usually 2, sometimes 1 only, while 3 are said to have occurred. 

 Colour dirty white, sometimes quite covered with wash of varying 

 shades of deep rich brown-red, sometimes so dark as to be deep 

 purplish-red and at times fading to light yellowish-red with much 

 of the ground-colour visible. Others are spotted and blotched with 

 purplish-red and ashy shell-marks. Average of 100 eggs, 66.1 X 50. 

 Max. : 76.4 x 51.7 and 68.1 x 56.1. Min. : 58.2 x 50 and 64 x 

 43 mm. Breeding-season. — From late March to about April 25. 

 Incubation-period. — -Not ascertained : apparently chiefly by female. 

 Single brooded. 



Food. — Carrion, garbage and dead animals of all kinds. In nests 

 may be found remains of smaller mammals, such as dogs, foxes, 

 cats, rabbits, hedgehogs, all evidently found dead ; also tortoises, 

 lizards, snakes, frogs, toads, fish and crustaceans (Apos). Decay- 

 ing fruit (figs) and excrement also devoured. 



Distribution. — England. — Two obtained and one stated seen. 

 Immature bird shot (another said to have been in company but 

 this disputed, see J. H. Gurney, Zool., 1876, p. 5000) near Kilve, 

 Bridgwater Bay (Somerset), Oct., 1825. Immature bird obtained 

 Peldon (Essex), Sept. 28, 1868 (ut supra). 



Distribution. — Abroad. — -Mediterranean countries to Sahara, north 

 to S. France and Mt. Salevein Switzerland and the Bukowina, east 

 to Turkestan and north-west India. Also in Canaries, Cape Verdes, 

 and east and south Africa. Casual north of its breeding range. 

 Replaced in India (except in north-west) by N. percnopterus 

 ginginianus. 



Order GRESSORES. 



Consists of Storks, Herons, Ibises and Spoonbills, apart from 

 tropical forms. Palate desmognathous. Sternum without spina 



