San Sebastian under the guidance of an English friend, 

 who had discovered the nest some days previously, and 

 had engaged mules, climber, and ropes at Irun for the 

 attack, having to make a considerable detour to reach 

 the summit of the scrub-covered range of cliffs above 

 the coveted object. On approaching the spot from 

 which we intended to commence operations, we became 

 aware of both the parent-birds in evident agitation, 

 sailing about at a level with the top of the cliff, and 

 we had hardly reached it, when a merry young Basque 

 appeared singing and swinging the young Griffon in one 

 hand. We added to his hilarity by giving him a small 

 silver coin, a cup of wine, and a handful of tobacco in 

 exchange for the young Vulture, which we carried back 

 to San Sebastian. I was bound on an expedition 

 through Navarra and into Aragon, and left our not very 

 fascinating prize in charge of the daughters of our host 

 of the ' Parador Real,' hardly expecting ever to see it 

 again, as these damsels, although most obliging and 

 attentive to their guests, could not be supposed to take 

 much interest in a strong-smelling and ugly carrion- 

 bird, belonging to a stranger. I crossed the frontier 

 on my return to England by another route, sending a 

 servant to enquire after my Vulture, and bring it on, if 

 alive, to meet me at Bordeaux ; to my surprise and 

 pleasure, he found the bird in perfect health, very 

 much grown, and quite tame, and assured me that the 

 " Senoritas " had parted with their charge with tears 

 and all manner of caresses, that might well have been 

 bestowed on more appreciative objects. I, however, 

 had, and still have, good reason to be grateful for the 



