CARRION VULTURE. 
3 77 
This curious operation, which prevents your per- 
ceiving that the carcase is hollow till you come 
close to it, is performed by first opening the belly 
of the animal, and tearing out the entrails, which 
some begin to devour, while others enter the hol- 
low and separate the flesh. They are exceedingly 
voracious, and when pressed by hunger will in 
flocks attack a beast, if they can find a sore upon 
his back. When once they have determined upon 
their prey, all the eflorts of the unfortunate animal 
to escape will be unavailing ; they descend upon 
him with fury; and notwithstanding all his attempts 
to free himself from his devourers, the vultures never 
quit their hold till they have completed his detrac- 
tion. When an eagle presides at the banquet, the 
vultures are not allowed to touch a morsel till he has 
satisfied his appetite. 
It is observed, that vultures in general decrease 
in numbers in proportion to the coldness of the 
climate, till we lose them entirely after passing the 
Grison Alps, nor do we believe they have ever 
been found in a much higher latitude ; even the 
temperature of England seems too much for them, 
since the vultures in the possession of Dr. Latham 
were alert and brisk during the summer months, 
and used to run wild about the garden, but were so 
impatient of the least degree of cold, that a rainy day 
has frequently obliged them to seek for shelter. 
The wisdom and goodness of Providence, in con- 
fining these filthy birds to climates where their vo- 
t 
