190 ANIMAL CURIOSITIES 
it again gave no sign of being aware of its 
presence. 
Of the various species of Old World vultures, 
the lammergeier or bearded-vulture is one 
of the most interesting, if merely for the fact 
that it inhabits Europe, where it is found amidst 
the Italian Alps, in Spain, and the Caucasus. 
In former days it was also met with in 
Switzerland, but is no longer to be seen in that 
country, the last one, according to report, 
having been found poisoned in the year 1887 . 
It is more eagle-like than any other vulture, 
and, as previously stated, differs from the 
typical forms by having its head and neck 
fully clothed with feathers. The tips of its 
wings and tail are very pointed, the feet are 
of a bluish-grey tint, while the eyes are curious 
on account of the iris being of a pale orange 
colour, and the surrounding part, correspond¬ 
ing to the “ white ” of a human eye, bright 
red. Its habits are also unlike those of other 
vultures, for instead of flying high in the air 
it sails along the sides of hills and mountains 
in search of its food, which consists of such 
varied items as land tortoises, small mammals 
and carrion. Bones, however, are regarded 
as a special dainty, and should these be too 
large to be swallowed whole, the bird carries 
them aloft and then lets them drop to the 
