VULTURE (Lat. ru/tur, voltur, vulture, from rah re, to pluck). A representative of a group of co rrion-cating rapacious birds classified in two distinct families. The vultures proper consti tute the old World family Vulturida-; the other family, Cathartidw, comprises the condors, tur key-buzzards, and the like. The former group, true vultures, have a long straight beak, slightly or not, at all hooked at the tip, and the head and neck bare or downy, a ruff or collar of soft feath ers surrounding the lower part of the neck, into which the most of the head can he withdrawn for warmth. The legs and feet are large, hut the claws are not nearly so large and strong as in the falcons. Vultures have long wings, great powers of flight, and soar out of human sight. Their plumage is dense, and usually black and white, often with the naked parts of the head red. They are mostly found in warm climates, and many of them are inhabitants of mountain ous regions. They feed on carrion. They seldom attack a living animal, but may put to death wounded or ill ones; and some of theni regularly seek their food in the streets and environs of Eastern towns, where they are suffered as scav engers. Vast numbers have been seen feeding upon battlefields. They gorge themselves exces sively when food is abundant, till their crop forms a great projection, and sit long in a sleepy or half-torpid state to digest their food. They do not carry food to their young in their claws, but disgorge it for them from the crop. The bareness of their head and neck adapts them for feeding on putrid flesh, by which feathers would be defiled; and they are very careful to wash and cleanse their plumage. The question has been lunch discussed whether vultures discern dead animals by the eye or are attracted to them by the smell. It is certain that they possess great powers of vision, hut the reasonable conclusion appears to be that the sense of smell is also of service in directing them to their prey. The rapidity with which they congregate about a carcass has been remarked with admiration. It is explained by their practice of soaring to a great height. Each one observes any sign of excitement on the part of another. and flies to ward it, and so numbers are lured, following one another toward the feast discovered by the first one.
Among notable species of vulture are the tawny vulture or griffon (Gyps fulru•s1, found in the south of Europe, the north of Africa, and the west of Asia. It makes its nest on the most in
accessible rocks of high mountains, as in the Alps and Pyrenees, and sometimes in tall forest trees. It is a very large bird, more than four feet 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 rest ing by turns, till no morsel remains. The moun tains 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 einereons vulture I Ciatur ill on achus), another large species. which departs from the typical character of the vul tures in the greater part of the neck feathered, and comparatively large and powerful claws. Various species are known In Africa and Eastern Asia, of which a familiar one in India is the rather small Pondicherry vulture (Ologyps cairns), which is black, and noted for its enor mous nest.
The American vultures of the family Cathar fiche differ from those of the Old World technical ly rather than in appearance oI• habits. This family includes the huge condor, king, and Cali fornia vultures of the genus Sareorhamplms (see Coxnon), and several other species, among them the smaller carrion-crow (q.v.) of the tropics, and the more familiar turkey-bnzzard (('athartes aura) of the southern part of the United States; this bird is occasionally seen, however, in all parts of the United States, and occasionally beyond the Canadian line. It is about. 30 inches in length, with an alar spread of nhout 75 inches; in color dingy brown; the tail is long, the wing is bent at a salient angle, and the tips of the longest quills spread apart and bend upward. No birds are better flyers or more expert and enduring in soaring. Their only utterance is a sort of hiss. They breed some times in communities and sometimes in separate pairs, depositing the eggs on the ground, on rocks, or in hollow logs and stumps, usually in thick woods. Where a rookery is established the foulness of the place soon becomes beyond description. The eggs are one or two in number, roundish, about 2 inches in longest diameter, and yellowish white blotched are brown and purplish tints. These birds are of very great service as scavengers, especially in the hotter parts of their habitat.
Conmult general works cited under BIRD. See Plate of VULTURES.