Flag Telegraphs are set Up. 
365 
and awe for the Vultur papa many travellers have reported of an eagle; 
nevertheless, as I have very often been witness of this interesting 
scene, I can affirm here that no other bird can boast of similar respect 
and sacrifice on the part of the Cathartes. 
98S. The female of the Vultur papa is larger than the male, just 
as she likewise differs in that, except for the white feathers under 
the wings, she has an absolutely black plumage. In colouring, the 
female almost exactly resembles the Cathartes foetens , for which reason 
the two are often mistaken. According to our observations the females 
must be much more numerous than the males. During the fu st year the 
young males correspond entirely with the females as regards plumage 
colour : in the second year they receive several white spots, until finally 
in the third year, like so many other South American birds, they get 
their proper covering and head and neck take on their mixture of 
pigment. The purest pearl cannot be whiter than the iris of Vultur papa. 
We were, unfortunately, unable to obtain any information as to their 
breeding. They probably hatch only in the farthest remote and 
loneliest spots or upon inaccessible rocks. In the neighbourhood of the 
coast the Vultur papa seems to be more plentiful than in the interior, 
where I have met with it pretty well down to the Equator, but always 
only rarely. 
989. The Macusis call it Cassana; the Wapisianas Panaourau; the 
Warraus, Wouraerepo. When rising for flight it always makes a great 
noise with its wings. It often overeats itself to such an extent that it 
cannot move. If the crop is full of food the bird diffuses an intolerable 
smell of carrion ; if empty it is replaced by a strong odour of musk which 
is also peculiar to the Cathartes aura and foetens. When the Vultur 
papa has smelt out a carcase it does not resign itself immediately to 
the feast, but first of all takes up a position at a little distance away, 
upon a tree, or, if such be wanting, upon the ground where it dips its head 
and neck deep down in between the wings and now and again casts a 
look at the dainty meal : it is just as if it wanted to whet its appetite to 
the greatest possible extent by such abstinence, for it is often only after 
a quarter or half an hour that it gives full play to it. It is remarkable 
further that the Cathartes withdraw immediately they see the Vultur 
approaching in the distance and make quite extraordinary gestures 
with their heads at one another directly it really appears. They seem to 
be welcoming their master in due form: at least, it was thus that I 
explained the ducking up of their heads and the flapping of their wings. 
As the King of the Vultures sets to work, they sit absolutely still and 
watch him feeding with yearning craws. 
990. In order to establish easy and rapid communication between 
the village, i.e., the members of the Boundary Commission and the 
occupants of the Fort, flag-telegraphs which, according to Captain 
Marry at’ s system, are now customary on all British ships, had already 
been set up in both places. In this way we could quickly enter into 
communication with one another, a convenience that might prove of 
importance to both parties in the immediate future, because during the 
