. Cassell's book of birds . l to and gorge itself after the manner of most Vultures, but seats itself at some BIRDS OF PREY. 73 distance upon the ground, or on a neighbouring tree, from whence, with head sunk between its wings,it casts longing glances at the tempting meal, and appears endeavouring to put a very keen edgeindeed upon its appetite by this self-enforced abstinence, which often lasts for a full half-hour. Thisunusual proceeding is followed by an onslaught so vigorous, that the royal glutton forgets its usualvigilant precautions for its own safety, and becomes so completely go
. Cassell's book of birds . l to and gorge itself after the manner of most Vultures, but seats itself at some BIRDS OF PREY. 73 distance upon the ground, or on a neighbouring tree, from whence, with head sunk between its wings,it casts longing glances at the tempting meal, and appears endeavouring to put a very keen edgeindeed upon its appetite by this self-enforced abstinence, which often lasts for a full half-hour. Thisunusual proceeding is followed by an onslaught so vigorous, that the royal glutton forgets its usualvigilant precautions for its own safety, and becomes so completely gorged as to be unable to rise fromthe spot on which it has breakfasted. Schomburghk tells us that whatever birds may be feasting on adead animal, the Vulture King no sooner arrives at the scene of action than the busy crowd pre-cipitately retire, leaving it in undisturbed possession of the spoil, and only return in case a few scrapsshould be left after the unwelcome monarch is fully satiated. Many writers have endeavoured to. THE KING OF THE VULTURES [Sarcorhamphus papa). prove the falsity of this statement, but it tallies exactly with our own observations. We havefrequently witnessed similar scenes, in which the disappointed birds never ventured to interfere withthe lord of the feast, but perched around upon the trees, devouring with their eyes what was unattain-able in a more satisfactory and substantial manner. Opinions also differ considerably as to thehabits of this species during the breeding season; we shall, therefore, only say that, according toBurmeister, the King of the Vultures builds upon trees, and that the eggs are white. The GOOSE VULTURES {Gyps) are recognisable by their elongated body and long, slender wings. The tail is of moderate length, and the tarsi low. The neck, which constitutes the peculiar characteristic of this group, resembles in its formation that of the Goose, and is covered with white downy hair or bristles. The beak is comparatively long and fee
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Keywords: ., bookauthorbreh, bookcentury1800, bookdecade1870, booksubjectbirds
