THE BEARDED VULTURE.

THERE are many kinds of vulture, of which the one before us is among the largest. The vultures are in their way very useful, performing the part of scavengers, and destroying much refuse, which would otherwise, doubtless, become very prejudicial. This has the effect of making themselves unpleasant; but as they enjoy their own life, and are useful to man, it need not be at all regarded.

The chief external mark of difference between the vultures and the eagles is that the heads and necks of the former are bare of feathers. Their eyes also are placed more forward; their claws are less hooked and shorter, not being required for the purpose of grasping or catching their food; the way in which they stand is less upright; their flight is not so swift and powerful; and they are less active and bold in their manners and habits.

The vulture has the faculty of perceiving its food at an extraordinarily great distance, whether through the organ of scent or some other sense entirely unknown to us cannot be determined. Its sight also appears to be very quick. This is thus referred to in the book of Job:-"There is a path which no fowl knoweth, and which the vulture's eye hath not seen."-Job, xxviii. 7. They seem to assemble on a sudden from every quarter of the sky, attracted to their food; and this is alluded to in Isaiah, xxxiv. 15, where it is said, "There shall the vultures also be gathered, every one with her mate.” On one occasion it is related that a hog having been

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THE BEARDED VULTURE.

killed by a hunting party in India, it was left on the ground near the tent; within an hour afterwards, the sky being perfectly clear, the attention of one of the company was directed to a dark speck in the air at a vast distance off. While they kept looking at and watching it, by degrees it came nearer and nearer, and increased in apparent size, until they soon perceived that it was a vulture flying in a direct line to the dead animal. In an hour as many as seventy vultures had assembled together at the same spot, drawn together from all quarters to share in the feast.

Again, Mr. Burchell, the celebrated traveller, speaking of the useful part that these birds perform in those hot countries where they are to be found, says, "Vultures have been ordained evidently to perform very necessary and useful duties on the globe; as indeed has every other animated being, however short-sighted we may be as to their utility. To those who have seen these birds, it need not be remarked how well a vulture is adapted to that share in the daily business of the earth which has been allotted to it-that of clearing away putrid matter, which might otherwise taint the air, and produce disease."