344 VULTURINE RAVEN. 



interrupted collar: bill very thick, strong, and 

 convex, the upper mandible somewhat carinated, 

 and the feathers beneath the chin of a loose tex- 

 ture, and of a lanceolate shape: the tail is some- 

 what cuneated, but the wings reach beyond it: 

 the bill and legs are black. This bird, which, ac- 

 cording to Levaillant, is very common in the in- 

 terior of Africa, is a species of a bold nature, as- 

 sembling in large flocks, and preying on carrion, 

 young lambs or antelopes, &c. in the manner of 

 the common Raven. Monsr. Levaillant considers 

 it as in some degree allied to the Vulture tribe. 

 The female is somewhat smaller than the male, 

 and of a browner cast. This species, according to 

 Mr. Latham, extends as far as to the scattered 

 islands of the Southern ocean. Levaillant observes 

 that it is not of a migratory nature, but continues 

 in the district in which it was hatched. In October 

 it builds either in trees or among large bushes, 

 making a very large hollow nest of branches or 

 twigs, and lining it with softer materials: the eggs 

 are four in number, and are greenish, spotted with 

 brown » 



