80 NATURAL HISTORY, 
-) 
a“ 
The vulture is confidered fo ferviceable in Egypt, 
that,in Grand Cairo, large flocks are permitted to_re- 
fide, in order to devour the canrion OF tia great city, 
which would otherwife be liable to frequent pefti- 
lence. 
Ic is ferviceable, likewife, in thofe countries where 
hunters purfue, and deftroy animals merely for the 
fkins; as they follow, and devour the bodies before 
they lie long enough to corrupt the air ;awhich they 
do fo greedily and voracioufly, as to be unable to fly. 
But, when they are attacked, they have a power of 
- lightening their ftomachs, fo as to effect their efcape. 
This bird is fomewhat larger thana turkey cock, 
and remarkable for the uncommon formation of the 
{kin covering the head and neck (which. is of an or- 
ange colour) being bare.. The eyes are furrounded 
with a fkin of a icarlet colour, and have a beautiful 
pearl coloured iris. “Although the king of the vul- 
tures ftands tonfeffedly the ‘moft beautiful of this de- 
tormed race, its habits are equally difagreeable with 
the rett. 
The flight and cry of thefe birds, being particularly 
obferved and attended to by the Koman Augurs, 
muft have arifen from their confidering, where they 
were moft inclined to direct their flight, from the pre- . 
vious fenfe they had of an approaching flaughter ; 
- which the Romans always flattered themfelves was to 
enfue of the enemies they were to engage. 
— Hohe NEM MG — 
GOLDEN VULTURE, - 
A LTHOUGH this bird is larger, yet, in other ref- 
pects it refembles the golden eagle. Itis four feet 
anda half in length. The lower part of the neck, 
breaft, and belly, are red: The back is covered with - 
black feathers, the wings and tail with thofe of a yel- 
lowifh brown. ‘Uhough the various ipecies differ 
Sod ie 

