VULTURES. 



85 



the bird assumes this most disagreeable attitude. The craw, which pro- 

 trudes very much, is covered with a fine glossy down of a silky texture, 

 but altogether not unlike the wool of quadrupeds. The entire body, 

 from the breast to the tail, is covered with long narrow feathers, ex- 

 tending from the body in proportion to their length ; they are sabre- 

 shaped, of a pale-brown colour, bordered with whitish grey. The thighs 

 and one half of the shank are covered with a very fine white down, 

 presenting a slight shade of fawn at the lower part. The same down 

 also clothes all the under part of the body ; it is also visible between 

 the feathers of the breast and on the sides of the neck. The tail is 

 tapering, and is always worn at the end. The base of the beak and the 

 skin surrounding it are of a yellowish horn colour ; the feet and toes, 

 very large, are defended with large brown scales ; the nails broad, and 

 but slightly arched, are> as well as the end of the beak, horn-coloured. 

 The eye is encircled by long black lashes, and the iris is of a chesnut 

 brown. 



This vulture, like other species of this genus, is a mountain bird : 

 it forms its habitation in the caverns and other places of shelter met with 

 in rocky localities. These birds there pass the night, and there repose 

 during the day, after feeding. Great numbers of them may be seen at 

 sunrise, perched upon rocks at the entrances of their dwellings ; some- 

 times they may be seen thus occupied, dispersed over the greater part 

 of an entire range of mountains. 



These birds are always found to have their tails much worn ; this is 

 from their rubbing them against the rocks, in the interstices of which 

 they squat, or upon the tops of which they roost : but eagles, seldom 

 alighting on the earth, or perching upon trees, preserve theirs 

 more entire ; besides this, vultures use the tail also against the ground 

 on the plain, for they do not take flight suddenly, but after a short run 

 and forcible contraction of their members. The flight of vultures is 

 not, however, less powerful and lofty ; they rise to an immense height, 

 and totally disappear from the eye. It is astonishing that these birds, 

 themselves invisible, should perceive what passes on the earth, and dis- 

 tinguish such animals as serve them for food, plunging down upon their 

 prey, in great numbers, the moment death has delivered it up to them. 

 Should a hunter kill any large game, which he cannot immediately 

 carry off, and leave it for a short time, he will not find it at his re- 

 turn ; but he will find a flock of vultures, and that too in a place from 

 which a quarter of an hour before not a single one could be perceived. 



