281 
Ornithology of Northern Africa . 
share the feast with as many as choose to join him. There is 
none of the snarling and quarrelling of the canine tribe, nor any 
attempt to rob a weaker cousin of his portion, nor to devour a 
savoury morsel in secret; but each of the company amicably 
keeps his place, without attempting to eject his neighbour. 
Yet it must be allowed that the pace at which he gobbles is 
* a caution ' to an American table d 3 hote. 
For some months we possessed two Griffons taken from the 
nest, who at length arrived safely in England. They never at¬ 
tempted to desert us, differing in this respect from our Lammer- 
geyers, but remained contentedly about the tents, or perched 
on the backs of the baggage-camels en route . They took a pecu¬ 
liar interest in taxidermy, scrutinizing, head on one side, the 
whole operation of bird-skinning, and perfectly aware of the 
moment when a morsel would be ready, exhibiting a more than 
ordinary excitement when they saw the skin drawn back over the 
head, and knew that the whole carcase would soon be cut off for 
them. One of these birds was of a desponding, querulous dispo¬ 
sition, the other of a very different natural temperament, always 
contented and cheerful, a universal favourite in the camp, while 
his fellow received, I fear, many a sly kick for his complaints. 
They were able to fast for days ; but, whenever such an oppor¬ 
tunity as a camel's carcase presented itself, would be revenged on 
their Lent. I have seen our pet, “ Musha Pasha," attack the 
entrails of a camel, and, as his crop became distended, sink upon 
his breast unable to stand, till at length, even this position being 
too much for hirn, he lay on his side still eating, until over¬ 
powered and helpless he fell asleep. This enormous capacity for 
food, combined with the power of long abstinence, is a wonderful 
provision of Creative Wisdom for carrion-feeders, whose supply 
is so uncertain, while the necessity for the immediate removal of 
offensive matter is so urgent. The strength of the Vulture's 
stomach is equal to its capacity, for on one occasion one of our 
Griffons devoured a half-pound pot of arsenical soap with no 
further inconvenience than a violent fit of vomiting. 
I have nothing to add to the remarks of Mr. Salvin in the last 
Number of ‘ The Ibis' on the nidification of the Griffon, beyond 
noticing that Messrs. Sclater and Taylor have this year brought 
