Vulpecula cum Ansere 
ni in, \\ r it h ; tut xt iv, abl. of nnsf /, ^oose. ] A i-on- 
Htellatiou, the Fox wilh I lie ( loose, first appear- 
ing in th<; "ProdrouiUH Ast rum mine" of I leve- 
ling, 1690. It lies between the Kaglr anil tin- s:m, :in,l 
isgeuerally called 1'nlpenita. U hasonestarof the f'UHtli 
niii^aitude. 
vulpecular (vul-pek'u-liir), . [< I*. < '"'/ 
a litt.lo fox, dim. of valjien, a fox: see Vulpes.] 
Of I lie nut ure of a fox; vulpine; of or pertain- 
ing to a fox's whelp. 
Vulpes (vul'pex), H. [XL. (Hrisson, 1766), < L. 
i-iil/ii-.i, rol/iis, also nil/tin, a fox; cf. Or. a/u-i^, 
a fox.] A genus of foxes, giving name to the 
t'i///>in;r, whoso type specieH is the common red 
t'o\, t'liuis <'iiliif.i of earlioi 1 naturalists, now 
l"//ir.s' i-iili/in-ix or I'. full-US. AH the vulpine quad- 
i ni"'ds have been placed In this genus, whluh, however, 
Is nuw restricted by tin- rxrlnsloii of such forms as Uro- 
fiifin (the Kray foxes of AmerieaX Otocyon or Megalotis of 
Africa, and Xyctereulen of Jn]mu. Even with these re- 
strictions there are numerous species, of Europe, Asia, 
Africa, and North America (none in South America), 
closely related to tin- common fox ; as well a! the more 
different types represented by the African fennec ( Vulpet 
(Fennecut) zerda), the Asiatic coraac (V. corae\ the North 
American kit (V. rrlwr}, and the clrcumpolar Isatls, or are- 
tic fox ( r. lagvput). See cuts under arctic, crots-fvx, fen- 
nee, fox, and kit f us. 
vulpicide 1 (vul'pi-sid), n. [< L. yuJpcs, a fox, 
+ -i-iiln. < i-H'dere, kill.] A fox-killer. 
vulpicide'- (vul'pi-sid), . [< L. vulpes, a fox, 
f -cidium, < cxdere, kill.] The killing of a 
fox or of foxes. 
Vulpicide., committed in defence of property, and con- 
demned neither by religion, nor hy equity, nor by any law 
save that of sportsmen, excites un anger that cries aloud 
for positive penalties. 
H. Spencer, Study of Soclol., p. 24f-. 
Vulpinae (vul-pi'ne), "?>' [NL., < Vulpes + 
-i/i.] A subfamily of Canidse, represented by 
the genus Vulpes in a broad sense, containing 
the foxes as distinguished from the dogs, 
wolves, and jackals ; the alopecoid canines. 
The frontal region of the skull is comparatively low from 
lack of frontal sinuses, and the pupil of the eye usually 
contracts to a vertical elliptical figure. But the group is 
not sharply delimited from Caninx, as the South Ameri- 
can fox-wolves (see Pseudalopex) and some African forms 
(see Thout) connect the two. See Urocyan (with cat), 
Vulpes (with cuts there cited), and compare Megalotitut. 
vulpinatet, . i. "To play the fox"; deceive 
with crafty wiles or deceits. Blotint, 1670. 
vulpine (vul'pin), a. [= F. vulnin = Sp. rut- 
pino = It. rolpino, volpigiio, < L. fulpinus, of 
or pertaining to a fox, < rulpes, a fox: see Vul- 
pes.] 1. Of or pertaining to a fox; techni- 
cally, resembling the fox as a member of the 
Vutpinse; related to the foxes ; alopecoid: dis- 
tinguished from lupine or tJiooid. 
Sometimes I heard the foxes as they ranged over the 
snow crust, in moonlight nights. . . . Sometimes one 
came near to my window, attracted by my light, barked a 
vulpine curse at me, and then retreated. 
Thoreau, Waldeu, p. 298. 
2. Resembling a fox in traits or disposition ; 
also, characteristic of the fox; foxy; cunning; 
crafty. 
The slyness of a vulpine craft, t'rltliain. Resolves, 1. 12. 
Smooth ful t ii a,- determination. Kingdey, Hypatia, xlv. 
Vulpine opossum, phalanger, <r phalanglst, Phalan- 
ffitta (now Trichomtruti) vulptnut, also calledfrna 
(1795 
VUlsella (vul-M'l'ii i. . [Also rolm-lla : < I.,, ntl- 
xillii, I'lil^i'llii . ,'u/*tll(i. pineers. < rilliii-. pp. r*//- 
MI"-. pluck: cf. i-iil/iire.] 1. PI. rul- 
i"-e). A forei-ps; specifically. 
:i I'oreeps. usually with toothed or 
rluw-like lilailes, useil for grasping 
and holding any of the tissues, ami 
aluo for removing foreign IxMlies 
lodged in the throat or other pas- 
M. Also nilxilln t'lirri /ix. 2. 
I .-'i/i. | [Nh. (Lamarck, I7!K)).] A 
genus of monomyarian bivalves, 
containing sueh as I'. liin/iilaUi of 
East Indian seas. 
vulsellum (vul-sel'uni), n.; pi. rul- 
.-< ll,i ( -ii ). [\ 1 ,. ] Same as nil.i, /In, 1 . 
The greater part of the growth wai lev- 
ered by working the ecraseur, and removed 
thriMiKh the mouth with a vulteUum. 
Lane*, 1889, I. 1082. 
vulternt, . An old spelling of tulturit. 
Vultur (vul'ter), n. [NL. : see vulture.] A Lin- 
nean peuus of l-'nli-nniilif, variously defined. 
(nt) Including all the vultures of both hemisphere!, (b) 
Restricted to certain Old World vulture*, ai V. mono- 
[< ME. vultur, voltur, vou- 
ckut. 
vulture (vul'tur). . 
tur, routre, < OF. routour, voltour, voutdir, F. 
cdutour = Pr. voltor, voutor = 8p. bttitre =: Pg. 
nbtitre = Oil. roltore, It. tirnltnn-. moltojo = W. 
jfftcltur, < L. eultur, voltitr, OL. also rulturus, vol- 
lurtiK, also rulturius, volturius, a vulture, a bird 
of prey, lit. 'plucker,' < veltere (pert, vubi), 
pluck: see vellieate,&nA et.vulneratc.] 1. One of 
sundry large birds, of the order Raptores, which 
have the head and neek more or less bare of fea- 
Vulpine Phalangr ( Triffiosttrtu VMlfiHHS). 
um, somewhat resembling a fox, native of Australia, 
about 2 feet long, with long, hniry, and prehensile tail, and 
of arboreal habits like other plmlangers. Vulpine se- 
ries, tlie iilopecoid series of canines. 
VTllpinisDK vul'pi-nizm), >i. [< rulpiite + -imii. ] 
The property of being vulpine; craft; artful- 
ness; cunning. Carli/li: 
vulpinite (vnl'pi-nit), . [< Vulpino (see def.) 
+ ~ite'&.~\ A scaly granular variety of the min- 
eral anhydrite. It occurs at Vulpino in Italy, and Is 
sometimes employed for small statues and other orna- 
mental work under the name of mariiio bardiglio. 
Brown Vulture (I'ultur 
thers, the beak and claws less powerful than in 
most birds of prey, and which feed largely or 
wholly upon carrion. They for the most part Inhabit 
warm countries. Birds of this description are found both 
In the Old World and in the New ; and, misled by superfi- 
cial appearances and general habits, naturalists have ap- 
plied the name to members of different suborders, (a) The 
Old World vultures, which. In spite of their peculiar out- 
ward aspect, are so little different from ordinary hawks and 
eagles that they can at most be considered as a subfamily 
r'utturiiur of the family Falconirtee. Of these there are sev- 
eral genera and numerous species, inhabiting the warmer 
parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa, where they act as effi- 
cient scavengers to clear the earth of offal and carcasses, 
which would otherwise become offensive. The cinereous 
or brown vulture. Vultur monachus or V. cinerewi, is a typ- 
ical example : it inhabits all countries bordering the Med- 
iterranean, and extends thence to India and China. The 
griffin-vultures are species of Gyps. The Bengal vulture, 
inhabiting India, is Ptfudogyptbengalenni. Related spe 
cies are the Angola vulture, Gypohirrax angeUniit (see cut 
under Oypohieraxl the immense Otorwps auriculant. of 
Africa (see Otogypt). and Lopkogypf occiptfalu. The Egyp- 
tian vulture, quite unlike any of the foregoing, U Aeo- 
phron percn'iptfrwt, often called Pharaoh't hen (see cut 
under Xeophron). The bearded vulture of the Alps, etc., 
or the lammergeier, Gfypnrfwn barbatut, has the head fea- 
thered, and does not hesitate to attack living animals ; 
this is the connecting-link between vultures and hawks or 
eagles, being sometimes placed in Vulturirur, sometimes 
In FofamCtur. (See cut under Qypaitu*.) (6) The American 
vultures of the suborder Cathartidet. The species of this 
group with which the name vulture is specifically connected 
are the urnbu, or black vulture, Catharigta atrata ; the tur- 
key-buzzard or turkey-vulture, Catharlt* aura; and the 
king-vulture, Sarcarhamphu* papa: Uie condor usually 
keeps Its own distinctive name. See Calhartidir, and cuts 
under condor, king -vulture, turlcry-buaanl, and unitm. 
Whos stomak fowles tyren ereremo, 
That hyghten roftiirw, as bookes telle. 
Chaucer. Troilus, I. 788. 
vulturine 
2. Figuratively, one who or that ivliii-h n - 
hie- a vulture,' especially in rapni'ity or r 
thirst for prey. 
\ . .II.'KI of InseneM, rulturr* anvmgK in. n. 
'Unit (in- iipcm the heart* of KIM 
Btau. and FI-, Honett Man s riirtune. II. 1. 
Here am I, bound upon this pillared rock, 
Prey to the vulture of a vait uealre 
That feed! upon my life. 0. W. llalinet. Regret*. 
U't Austria's culture have fixid for her beak. 
WkiUitr, Krom Perugia 
Abyralnlan vulture, the Lopkngyp* oecivitalui: In which 
the head In not ban-, the bill Is red. with Murk tip :'! 
blue base, the feet are fleh-<-<ilor, the eyes brown, iinil Hie 
length Is nearly S feet. It Inhabits much of Africa, and 
was first described by Utham In 1821. Arabian vul- 
ture, the brown or cinereous vulture, I'i//Mir iiwiwirAii*. 
/^/inm,i78l. Ash-colored vulture, ii" i.f\|.ti'm vui- 
tiin. Bearded vulture, .sei-ilef. l in). 
Bengal vulture. Hee def. 1 (a). Latham, i 
Black vulture, (a) See def. 1 (bX (6) The Vultur mo- 
nachui. talAam, 17sl.- Brown vulture. Hecdef. 1 (). 
Califomian vulture, the ralifnrnian condor. Sc cut 
under condor. Changoun vulture, the Bengal vulture : 
so called by Latham, IbOl, after le ehanaoun of Lerall- 
lant, 17W. Cinereous vulture. Sedef7l(a). LaUutm. 
1781. - Crane-vulture. See tecntarv-bird. Greeted 
or coped black vulture, the brown or cinereous vulture, 
V.dhn- wiiMchun. Bdmrdt, noli. - Eagle-vulture, the 
West African Uypnhierax angolennt. Alto called mlturinr 
ea-cagte. See cut under Gypokiemx. Eared vulture, 
a vulture of the genus Otoyypt, specifically O. auricula- 
*"- Egyptian vulture. Bee del. 1 (a).- Fulvoui TUl- 
ture, one of the griffin-vultures, Gypt fulvu*. iMtham, 
1781. Glngi vulture, Xeophran gingumut, the Indian 
representative of the Kgyptian vulture. Latham, 1797 and 
1821. Indian Vulture, one of the griffin-vultures, GJ/JH 
indicuf, of the Indian and Malayan peninsulas. Burma, and 
Slam. King of the vultures, the king vulture. See def. 
1 (*). Kdwardi, 1743. Maltese vulture, the Egyptian 
vulture. Latham, 1781. Nubian vulture, one of the 
eared vulture!, Otamptauricularu. PllMlMd mlture, 
Keophron pileatut, the South African representative of 
the Egyptian vulture, first described as Vultur pileatut by 
Burchcll In 1824. Pondicherry vulture, one of the 
eared vultures, Otogypt ealma. Rachamah vulture, 
the Egyptian vulture. /inir<-, 1790. Euppell's vulture, 
one of tne griffin* vultures, Gyps rueppelfi. Sacred vul- 
ture, a bird described by William Bartram In 1791, under 
the name of Vultiir tacra, as inhabiting Florida. It has 
not been identified, but is supposed to be the king-vul- 
ture, Sarcorhatnphmi papa. The vulturet, the fulvous 
vulture, Oypt fulvtu. AWin, 1740. Turkey- vulture. 
See turltey-bu&ard, and cut under Cathartn. White 
vulture, the Egyptian vulture. 
vulture-raven (vul'tur-ra'vn), . A book- 
name of the thick-billed African ravens, of the 
genus Corvultitr, C. atbicollis&nd (.'. crasxiroiitru. 
They are noted for the stoutness and especially the depth 
of the bill, resulting from the strong convexity of the high- 
arched culmen, like that of a bird of prey. C. albitxUi* 
is 18 Inches long, 
with the bill 3 
Inches along the 
culmen ; the plu- 
mage Is glossy- 
black, with con- 
ceal etlwhlte on the 
neck ; the beak Is 
dark'brown. with 
the tips of theman- 
dlhles whitish; the 
feet are brownish- 
black, the Irldes 
hazel-brown. This species Is South African. C. cratrirog- 
trie, of northeastern Africa, Is larger, being ii feet long, with 
the beak nearly 4 Inches. The former species was origi- 
nally described by Latham as ihe South Sea raven, and later 
by Levalllant as the corbieau (whence the generic name 
Corvultur Imposed by Lesson In 1831) ; another synonym 
is Corvut vulturinuf. 
Vnlturidse (vul-tu'ri-de), n. pi. [NL., < L. 
vultur, a vulture (see vulture), + -idle.] A 
family of birds, artitieially composed of the 
birds popularly called vultures in both hemi- 
spheres. There are no good characters to distinguish 
the Old World vultures from the family Faleonidte, of 
which they may at most form a subfamily Vulturinff, 
while, on the other hand, there are strong characters 
separating the American vultures from all othera. The 
family has in consequence been nearly abandoned by 
ornithologist!, or at least restricted to the Hid World 
vultures. See vulture. 
Vulturinse (vul-tu-ri'ne), n. pi. r^L-. < Vultur 
+ -iw.] A suSfamily of r'alconiilte, confined 
to the Old World, and consisting of the vultures 
of Europe, Asia.and Af rica,characterized chief- 
ly by their naked heads and carrion-feeding 
habits. See vulture. 
vulturine (vul'tur-in), a. [< L. vulturinus, of 
or pertaining to a vulture, < niltur, a vulture . 
see vulture.] 1. Resembling a vulture ; of or 
pertaining to the Vulturinx. 2. Characterix- 
tic of a vulture, as in scenting carrion. A l- 
riiltiiriah. 
The mlturine nose, which smells nothing but corrup- 
tion, is no credit to its possessor. 
Kingtiey, Two Years Ago, x. 
Vulturine eagle, AquUa vemtuxi, of Lesson, described 
also the same year (1830) u Ayuila rulturina by Sir A. 
Smith. This Is an African eagle, 3 feet long, with the feet 
feathered to the toes, and otherwise congeneric with the 
golden eagle. When adult it is black, more or ! exten- 
sively white on the back, rump, and upper Uil-coverU ; 
Head of Vulture-raveo {Carvttititr 
toitii), reduced. 
