THE CINEREOUS VULTURE. 
518 
they are safely installed on the top of a carcase, they 
allow themselves to be disturbed by nothing; the approach 
of a hunter in open day, even, does not in any way put 
them out. Every minute one now hears the rushing 
wings of the falling Vultures, of whose presence in the 
neighbourhood, until now, one was utterly ignorant, for 
the sharpest eye would fail to detect the birds, although 
nine feet in expanse of wing, at their tremendous 
altitude. 
No sooner have these indescribably-greedy birds reached 
the earth than they race up to the feast with their necks 
stretched out horizontally, raised tail, and flapping half- 
outstretched wings. The smaller members of the crowd 
retire to a respectful distance; the dogs, in spite of their 
growling and showing their teeth, are treated to such a 
hail of blows from the beaks of the Vultures, that they 
are forced to beat a speedy retreat. These powerful birds 
of prey remain masters of the field, though amongst 
themselves a most violent scene of disorder ensues, each 
and all fighting, quarrelling, and tearing in such a 
manner as must be seen to be believed. Two or three 
strokes of their powerful beaks pierce the thick skin, and 
liberate the gases from the swollen carcase. The strong- 
beaked Vultures, to which these we are now speaking of 
belong, are soon engaged upon the layers of muscle and 
flesh, while their more lightly-armed cousins thrust their 
long necks as far as they can into the interior, so as to 
get at the entrails, over which delicacies the battle rages 
furiously. An endless string of hungry Vultures rushes 
down amongst those already feeding, and tries to drive 
them from the feast. The fighting and squabbling now 
begin afresh, and the noise is redoubled, for it is only 
those that are pretty well satiated that care to budge an 
