THE VULTURE. 
Of this class of birds the principal are the 
Golden or Carrion Vulture, the Aquiline or 
Egyptian Vulture, the Cape Vulture, and the 
Brazilian Vulture. In one point they all have 
a perfect resemblance ; they are filthy, indolent, 
and rapacious, and the smell of them is offen- 
sive. The Golden V ulture, which, if we except 
the Condor, seems to be at the head of the 
tribe, is about four feet and a half long, from 
the end of the beak to that of the tail, and gene- 
rally w r eighs about four or five pounds. The 
head and neck are only covered with a few 
scattered hairs, and the latter is covered with 
a red skin, which at a distance gives to the 
creature the look of a turkey; and the eyes 
are more prominent than those of the eagle. 
The whole plumage is dusky, mixed with pur- 
ple and green ; the legs are of a dirty flesh co- 
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