THE KING OF THE VULTURES. 
Vultur Papa. L.mn. 
Rex Vulturum. Briss. i. 47 0. 
Roi des Vautoues. Buff. Ois. i. 169. 
The Count de Buffon, notwithstanding the most diligent inquiry, was 
not able to discover the least indication of this species among the birds of 
Asia and Africa; but it being very common in Mexico, New Spain, and 
the West India Islands, he concludes it to be peculiar to the southern re- 
gion of the New Continent, though not to be met with in the Old. In 
size it rather exceeds the hen turkey, measuring from bill to tail two feet 
three inches. The head is bare : the neck furnished with a tippet of ash- 
coloured downy feathers, with which it can cover the greatest part of the 
headwhenat roost. Its general position is rather stooping than erect; it is 
extremely sensible of cold, so as to be affected on the first appearance of 
frost; and notwithstanding the greatest care and attention, it seldom sur- 
vives the winter of our climate. It is greedy, sullen, deceitful, and rapa- 
cious : will prey on fish, lizards, and even on putrid carcases; its sense of 
smelling is exquisite, and corruption to them hath powerful attractions. 
In some birds of this species, the body is of a reddish white, in others it 
is more inclinable to buff. The bill also varies in colour, being in some 
wholly red, in others of a bright orange at the extremity, and black in the 
middle ; the feet and nails also differ, being of straw colour, with the nails 
black : in others the feet and nails are of a dull red : the nails in all are 
short, and very slightly curved. Although this is a most beautiful bird, 
it rs neither elegant, noble, nor generous; and from the nature of its food, 
it contracts so disgusting a smell, that the Indians, who eat every thing 
without distinction (even the rattle -snake), will not touch this bird. 
The most Honourable the Marquis of Stafford did me the honour of pre- 
senting me with a pair of these birds, for which I embrace this oppor- 
tunity of expressing my grateful acknowledgments. 
