136 
THE VULTURE. 
suddenly surrounded by a flight of these birds, who 
actually carried off the flesh, notwithstanding the 
efforts made to drive away or destroy them by 
shouting, throwing, and even shooting at them. As 
fast as one dropped, others supplied his place. 
Another English traveller, who marched for some 
days with an army in Abyssinia, in a different part 
of Africa, speaks of their numbers as to be compared 
to the sand of the sea, extending -over the troops like 
a black cloud; they were also more courageous than 
some other species, for he once saw one strike an 
Eagle to the ground, which had accidentally straggled 
into a host of Vultures, assembled to feed on the 
dead soon after a battle. 
They are, however, sometimes more dainty in their 
choice of food ; as in Egypt, where, during the season 
when crocodiles and animators lay their eggs in the 
sand, these cunning birds will sit, hid in the leaves 
of the trees, watching the females coming on shore 
to lay their eggs, which, when laid, they cover care- 
fully with sand, thinking, no doubt, that they are 
thus safe from all danger, and sure to be hatched in 
regular course of time, by the warmth of the soil, 
heated as it is by the sun; but no sooner does she 
retire, than the concealed birds glide down, and with 
claws, wings, and beak, tear away the sand, and 
quickly devour the hidden treasures. 
A dead crocodile or alligator is equally acceptable, 
but as these reptiles are furnished with strong horny 
or scaly coats, like armour, much too strong to be 
opened and broken into, by either beaks or claws, 
the Vultures are often obliged to wait for a long 
time, until the hide of the carcass loosens, and affords 
