TURKEY VULTURE. 
227 
tlie Northern and Middle States, it is partially migratory, the 
greater part retiring to the south on the approach of cold 
fabulous stories are recorded of the formidable condur carrying off men, bullocks, 
and even elephants. 
They have been called the scavengers of nature; and in warm climates, where 
all animal matter so soon decays, they are no doubt useful in clearing off what 
would soon fill the air with noxious miasmata. In many parts of Spain, and 
southern Europe, the Neophron percnopterus, or Egyptian vulture of Savigny, 
and in America, the native species, are allowed to roam unmolested through the 
towns, and are kept in the market places, as storks are in Holland, to clear away 
the refuse and offal ; and a high penalty is attached to the destruction of any of 
them. In this state they become very familiar and independent. Mr Audubon 
compares them to a garrisoned half-pay soldier ; “ to move is for them a hardship ; 
and nothing but extreme hunger will make them fly down from the roof of the 
kitchen into the yard. At Natchez, the number of these expecting parasites is 
so great, that all the refuse within their reach is insufficient to maintain them.” 
They appear also to have been used for a most revolting purpose among barbarous 
nations, or at least, in conjunction with wild animals, were depended upon to 
assist in destroying and clearing away the dead, which were purposely exposed 
to their ravages. Some, however, are elegant and graceful in their form and 
plumage, and vie with the eagles in strength and activity. Such is the Vullur 
barbatus of Edwards, the lammergeyer of the European Alps. 
Independent of the species mentioned by our author, three others have been 
described as natives of this continent, Sarcorampkus gryphus and Californianus 
of Dumeril, and the Cathartes papa of Illiger ; the former supposed to be the 
celebrated Hoc of Sinbad, the no less noted Condur of moderns. They are found 
on the north-west chain of the Andes, frequenting, and not indeed generally 
met with until, near the limits of eternal snow, where they may be seen perched 
on the summit of a projecting rock, or sweeping round on the approach of an 
intruder, in expectation of prey, and looking, when opposed to a clear sky, of 
double magnitude. 
“ Moving- athwart the evening sky, 
Seem forms of giant height.” 
The stories of their destructive propensities are, to a certain extent, un- 
founded. No instance is recorded by any late travellers, of children being car- 
ried off, and all their enquiries proved the reverse. It is a much- followed oc- 
cupation by the peasantry at the base of the Andes to ascend in search of ice for 
the luxury of the towns, and their children, at a very tender age, carried with 
them, are frequently left at considerable distances, unprotected ; they always 
remain in security. The N. Californianus was first known from a specimen in 
the British Museum, brought from California. Mr Douglas found it more lately 
in the woody districts of that country ; and I have transcribed his interesting 
account of its manners, &c. “ These gigantic birds, which represent the condur 
