TAWNY VULTURE or GRIFFON ( V. fu/V1140, found in the'south of Europe, the north of Africa, and the west of Asia. It makes its nest on the most inaccessible rocks of high mountains. as in the Alps and Pyrenees, and sometimes in tall forest trees. It is a very large bird, more thou four ft. in length. Its plumage is yellowish brown, the quills and tail-feathers blackish brown, the down of the head and neck white, the ruff white. When it has found a carcass on which to feed, it remains on the spot, gorging and torpidly resting by turns, till no morsel remains. This vulture has been seen in England, but only as an accidental visitor. The mountains and forests of the south of Europe, as well as of the north of Africa, and great part of Asia, are also inhabited by the CINEREOUS VULTURE (V. or gyps cinemas), another large species, which departs from the typical character of the vultures in having the greater part of the neck feathered, and comparatively large and powerful claws. It does not, however, attack living ani mals. India, Africa, and almost all warm countries, abound in vultures of different species which it is unnecessary to describe. In the southern states of North America is found the BLACK VULTURE (Cathartes atratus), there generally known as the CARRION CROW, a comparatively small species, not quite two ft. in entire length, of a deep
black color, the head and neck covered with warty excrescences, and a few hair-like feathers. This bird is also very abundant in many parts of South America, where it is called the GALLINAZO. Very nearly allied to it, and found in the same regions, is the TURKEY BUZZARD, or RED-11EADEDVULTURfil (Cothartes aura). These vultures are more or less gregarious, not only assembling where food is to be found, but flying in Hocks. They make their nests in hollow trees, and sometimes in the chimneys of deserted houses, or on the roofs of houses. In some of the towns of tropical America, they may be seen in great numbers, perched during the heat of the day on the tops of houses or on walls, asleep, with their heads under their wings. The CALIFORNIA VULTURE thanes Ccilifornianus) is the largest rapacious bird of North America, being fully four ft. long, and about ten ft. in extent of wings. It is black, with a white band on the wings. It is found only on the western side of the Rocky Mountains. It much resem bles the condor in its habits.