336 DESCRIPTION OF THE MUSEUM. 



of room, and at the same time the confusion that 

 might arise from that economy of space. 



We will begin with the case to the left, on 

 entering the gallery from that of the ruminating 

 animals, and we will make the circuit, proceed- 

 ing from left to right. 



Ten species of the genus vulture occupy the 

 two first cases. On the top shelf of the first are 

 the different ages of the king of vultures (i) 

 (vultur papa). This bird inhabits South Ame- 

 rica ; it has a beautiful plumage ; the naked parts 

 of its head and neck are covered with red and 

 yellow, which fade after death. On the second 

 shelf of the second case is the percnopterus of 

 Egypt, vulgarly called Pha^raoh's chicken, a bird 

 most common over the old continent. Large 

 flights of them follow the caravans, devour what 

 dies, and purify the country of the dead bodies 

 which otherwise would infect it. The ancient 

 Egyptians held this bird in veneration, and even 

 now some devout mussulmen leave legacies for 

 the maintenance of a certain number. Above 

 the percnoptere is the vultur fulvus, whose or- 

 gan of smell is so acute, that it can distinguish 



(1) The reason of its receiving this title is worth recording. When 

 the male and female, which keep always together, fall upon prey, 

 already attacked by a large party of the aura (a species which we see 

 on the second shelf of the second case), these latter fly away, leaving 

 the king and his female to finish quietly their repast. 



