CONCERNING VULTURES 
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of the vulture’s stomach is equal to its capacity, 
for on one occasion one of our griffons devoured 
a half pound of arsenical soap, with no further 
inconvenience than a violent fit of vomiting.” 
Most griffon vultures construct a large nest, 
composed of sticks, upon the rocks ; but the 
Himalayan griffon sometimes appropriates the 
nest of an eagle, thereby saving itself the 
trouble of building. 
Although vultures have not bred in this 
country, some Kolbe’s griffons have built and 
laid eggs on several occasions at the London 
Zoological Gardens. In their native home of 
South Africa these birds nest during July and 
August (the winter months in that country), 
and it is of interest to note that in captivity in 
England they still nest during that season, 
selecting the months of January and February. 
A very curious type is the Pondicherry or 
eared-vulture of India, so called because of 
the pendent and fleshy lappets of bare skin 
that hang from either side of the head; these, 
as well as the head itself and the upper part 
of the neck, being of a cherry-red tint. 
It is also known as the king-vulture, or 
raj-sogno, because it forces other vultures to 
give way to it during a feast; but the true 
king-vulture, it should be mentioned, is an 
American bird which, in a like manner to the 
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