510 
BIRD-LIFE. 
Up to the present we are acquainted with about twenty 
species of Vultures, seven of which belong to the New, 
and the remainder to the Old World. We find none in 
Australia. In Europe we have four species, each of 
which, strictly speaking, has its own peculiar mode and 
habits of life; yet they resemble one another so far, at 
least all the larger species, that the description of one will 
suffice to give the reader a good idea of the entire group. 
I have chosen one of the European Vultures as an 
illustration of the general habits of the family. 
The Cinereous Vulture is found principally in Southern 
Europe, namely in Hungary, European Turkey, Greece, 
and Spain, and has more than once been found in Germany. 
This species is not to be met with in North-eastern Africa, 
though it is found on the western side of that continent, 
and also in North-western Asia. It lives amongst the 
mountains, whence it circles over a large expanse of 
country, in search of food. This bird only perches during 
the heat and glare of noon, and at night; rarely, however, 
on trees, choosing in preference rocky pinnacles, or the 
flat ground near the carcase. This bird’s immense nest, 
placed on a tree, is composed of large sticks and branches, 
it is flat in form, and but slightly hollowed in the middle : 
about the end of February, one round white egg, of a 
roughish texture, is laid. The young one makes its entrance 
into the world clothed in a thick coating of grayish white 
down, and is not able to fly before it has attained the age 
of four months. Both parents keep it plentifully supplied 
with food, and show great fondness for their offspring, 
though they never attempt to defend it against the 
attacks of man. So much for this bird in particular. 
Now we will turn our attention to the large Vultures in 
general. I have had numerous opportunities, during my 
