CRUEL VULTURES 
333 
flight of their companion that something of importance to them 
is transpiring below, inquisitively approach to convince them¬ 
selves of the quality of the attraction which induced the first 
aasvogel to descend from his exalted position. 
(2) When it is desirable or convenient to leave killed game 
by itself for a while, should one cover it over with grass and 
branches in such a manner that it is not visible, the assembled 
aasvogels will soar about for a time, and then take their depar¬ 
ture without even attempting to disturb the covering, a fact 
clearly demonstrating that their sense of discernment is obscured, 
which would not be the case if they hunted by scent. Even 
joints of meat tied up in a tree to protect them from ground 
carnivora, and well enveloped in grass, will remain untouched by 
aasvogels for quite a day—longer I have not had occasion to let 
it hang thus, although they were watching the meat being hung 
and wrapped up. 
Against these arguments, the scent advocates assert that the 
aasvogel, while knowing the position of the meat, is deterred 
from attacking it by a fear of traps or treachery. How little this 
fear influences them can be gathered by observing how they fall 
over a carcass just skinned, before the hunter has taken himself 
away many yards. They simply flock over the meat like flies 
on a pudding, greedily gorging themselves on the flesh, which 
may be poisoned, or stupidly step into any trap otherwise laid 
for them. 
(3) The aasvogel will follow up wounded game that has been 
shot in such a manner that not a drop of blood is spilt exter¬ 
nally, or will attack cattle dying from disease before they are 
well dead. I have often driven aasvogels from a poor defence¬ 
less dying ox lying exhausted from overwork on the road. 
Viciously they start in with their sharp beaks, attacking the 
soft parts under the ox’s tail, eating their way into the entrails 
by putting their heads and long necks right into the ox, 
which vainly endeavours by feeble efforts to rid himself of his 
frightful tormentors, who, as one draws his head out for breath, 
greedily plunge their beaks into the orifice in succession, 
