THE VULTURE. 30g

hill—and, showing him the bird that had just alighted, he
said, ‘the King of the vultures; you will see how he is
adored.’ Directly the fine-looking bird approached the car-
case, the oz polloi of the vultures retired to a short distance;
some flew off, and perched on some contiguous branch;
while by far the greatest number remained, acting the courtier,
by forming a most respectful and well-kept ring around him.
His majesty, without any signs of acknowledgment for such
great civility, proceeded to make a most gluttonous meal;
but, during the whole time he was employed, not a single
envious bird attempted to intrude upon him at his repast,
until he had finished, and taken his departure with a heavier
wing and slower flight than on his arrival; but when he had
taken his perch on a high tree, not far off, his dirty, ravenous
subjects, increased in number during his repast, ventured to
discuss the somewhat diminished carcase; for the royal appe-
tite was certainly very fine. I have since beheld the above
scene acted many times, but always with great interest.”

A Feast of Wilson gives the following account of the Black

Vultures. Vulture of America. “February 21st, 1809. Went
out to Hampstead this forenoon. A horse had dropped
down in the street, in convulsions; and dying, it was dragged
out to Hampstead, and skinned. I ventured cautiously within
thirty yards of the carcase, where three or four dogs, and
twenty or thirty vultures, were busily tearing and devouring.
Seeing them take no notice, I ventured nearer, till I was
within ten yards, and sat down on the bank. Still they paid
little attention to me. The dogs being sometimes accidentally
flapped with the wings of the vultures, would growl and snap
at them, which would occasion them to spring up for a
moment, but they immediately gathered in again. I remarked
the vultures frequently attack each other, fighting with their
claws or heels, striking like a cock, with open wings, and
fixing their claws in each other’s heads. The females, and
I believe the males likewise, made a hissing sound with open