THE ALPINE, OR EGYPTIAN VULTURE. 
25 
truth of the matter. The following account has been kindly transmitted to me by Captain 
Drayson, who has already contributed much original information to the present work. 
“Having shot an ourebi early in the morning, and when about three miles from home, I 
was not desirous of carrying the animal behind my saddle during the day’ s shooting, and I 
therefore sought for some method of concealment by which to preserve the dead quarry from 
jackals and Vultures. An ant-bear’s hole offered a very convenient hiding-place, into which 
the buck was pushed, and the carcase was covered over with some grass cut for the purpose. 
As usual in South Africa, there were some Vultures wheeling round at an enormous height 
above the horizon ; these I believed would soon come down and push aside the grass and tear 
off the most assailable parts of the buck. There was, however, no better means of protection, 
so I left the animal and rode away. When at about a quarter of a mile from the ant-bear s 
hole, I thought that it might be interesting to watch how the Vultures would approach and 
commence operations, so I ‘ off-saddled,’ and kept watch. 
“ After about half an hour, I saw a Vulture coming down from the sky, followed by two or 
three others. They came down to the spot where the buck had been killed, and flew past this. 
They then returned, and again overshot the mark. After circling several times within a 
radius of four hundred yards, they flew away. Other Vultures then came and performed 
similar manoeuvres, but not one appeared to know where the buck was concealed. I then rode 
off to a greater distance, but the same results occurred. 
“ In the evening I returned for my buck, which, however, was totally useless in consequence 
of the intense heat of the sun, but which had not been touched by the Vultures.” 
Whatever may be the general opinion of the scientific world upon this subject, I cannot 
but think that we shall not discern the true cause of this food-discovering power in the optic 
or nasal nerve, or indeed in any material structure whatever. It appears to be simply due to 
that wonderful intuitive teaching which we popularly call instinct, and which, if rightly 
examined, will most surely prove a key to many mysteries at present unsolved. 
The color of the Fulvous Vulture is a yellowish-brown over the greater part of the 
body. The quill feathers of the tail and wings are nearly black, the ruff surrounding the base 
of the neck is composed of long and delicately white slender feathers, and the head and neck 
are sparingly clothed with short white down. 
In its native state the Fulvous Vulture assumes some very curious attitudes, and has the 
power of altering the contour of its body so completely that it would hardly be recognized as 
the same bird. At one time it sits upon the branch of a tree in a heavy, indolent manner, its 
neck hidden in the ruff, and the head just projecting from the feathers. At another time it 
will be full of life and animation, pacing round the carcase of some animal, tugging furiously 
at the skin, and snapping fiercely at its companions if they should approach too closely . One 
remarkable attitude which it is fond of assuming is rather difficult to describe, but has so 
strange and weird-like an aspect, that it is deserving of mention. While sitting on the 
ground, the Vulture thrusts its legs well to the front, and instead of resting upon the feet, 
holds them up in the air and sustains the weight of its body upon the tail and ankle- bones. 
Thus supported, it seems quite at its ease, and reclines with half -spread wings, as if thor- 
oughly enjoying its repose. 
Like others of its tribe, the Fulvous Vulture, when satiated with food, will retire to a 
neighboring tree-branch, and sit listlessly with hanging wings, as if to rid its feathers of the 
putrid animal substance on which it has been feeding. It is very probable that the bird may 
receive great aid from the yellow feather-dust which is so copiously poured from the short 
and open quills that are found so abundantly upon this and other similar birds, and that by 
means of quiet repose, aided by the fresh air and a few hearty shakes, the bird may be able to 
throw off the powder and the putrefaction together. 
The Alpine, or Egyptian Vulture, is, as its name imports, an inhabitant of Egypt 
and Southern Europe. It is also found in many parts of Asia. 
The general color of the adult bird is nearly white, with the exception of the quill feathers 
of the wing, which are dark brown. The face, bill, and legs are bright yellow, so that the 
