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CENTRAL AMERICA. 



from down and from up wind. The fact is, 

 that these birds generally soar so high as not 

 to be observed ; but their piercing eye imme- 

 diately detects the fallen animal, and he 

 makes a straight, rapid flight towards the 

 spot. Now, whenever a vulture flies straight 

 and rapid, the others that are hovering on 

 high invariably follow his course, and on 

 arriving over the spot where the carcass lies, 

 their circling flights makes another signal for 

 those vultures who may not yet have seen 

 the first. 



I believe it is Mr. Waterton who says, 

 that he has perfectly hidden a carcass under 

 trees and bushes, and yet the smell has 

 attracted vultures from immense distances. 

 I have tried the same thing ; but perhaps 

 Mr. Waterton was not aware that vultures 

 watch dogs and beasts of prey, and follow 

 them, and that when near the scent may 

 assist them. 



I remember once, in Chili, a donkey being 

 drowned, during a heavy rain, in a stream 

 that might have been crossed the next day 

 without wetting the ankles. He was dragged 

 under a very large, thick tree, and was left 

 undisturbed by the vultures for two days, 

 until some village- dogs discovered him, and 



