KING OF THE VULTUPvES* 
cold; and, therefore, could not pass by the 
north. At all events, he expresses his cer- 
tainty, that the King of the Vultures is con- 
fined to it's natal region, and haunts the tracts 
between Brasii and New Spain. 
Edwards tells us, that the person -who 
shewed these birds in London, assured him 
that they came from the East Indies ; notwith- 
standing which, he supposed them to be 
American. 
The King of the Vultures, is said to attack 
only weak victims. It feeds on rats, lizards, 
and serpents; and will devour the dung of 
animals, and even human excrement. It has, 
accordingly, a very disgusting smell ; and it's 
flesh is so rank, that even the savages will not 
eat it. 
- The common notion, that Vultures never 
prey on any living animals, is a vulgar error. 
It is true that they want the bold and vigorous 
ch'ara6ter of the eagle, and are of a mean 
aiid filthy nature : confining their depreda- 
tions to such animals only as are easily mas- 
. "'i ' tered 
