POPULAR HISTORY OF BIRDS. 
round the ueck^ which contrasts well with the dark plumage 
of the birds. Although a large bird^ its size, courage, and 
powers are not by any means proportioned to its reputation^ 
which is derived from the exaggerated accounts of early tra- 
vellers. Its true history was first given by Humboldt, from 
personal observation. He ascertained its ordinary abode 
to be rocks, just below the limits of perpetual snow; from 
these it sweeps into the valleys and plains in search of 
food. 
In this genus, and rendered conspicuous by the bright- 
coloured fleshy wattles at the base of his beak, as well as by 
his decidedly pleasantly-tinted plumage, is the SarcorarjzpkMS 
PajMy or King of the Yultures,^^ a common enough species 
in South America, where his size, colour, and weight give 
him a decided pre-eminence over the black vultures, called 
CatliarteSy or turkey buzzards. Although in size and in 
power of wing, and in personal'^ adornment, superior to 
most of the family, ^^king^'' though he be, this Papa Yul- 
ture must doff his royalty in the presence of the condor 
of the Andes. Waterton tells us, speaking of ''''his ma- 
jesty,^^ that there is no doubt that, when the scent of the 
carcase has drawn together flocks of the common vulture, 
they all retire when royalty''^ makes his appearance. 
