The Bearded Griffon is the celebrated Lammergeyer, described by some
Naturalist under the name of the Golden Vulture. The Lammergeyer forms,
as the name indicates, an intermediate genus between the Eagles and the
Vultures, having head and eyes like the Vultures and feet and strong
beak like the Eagles. It owes its name—Bearded Griffon—to a tuft of
stiff hair that is under the beak. The loftiest mountains of Europe,
Asia and Africa are its home, and its aerie, which is of great size, is
built among the most inaccessible rocks.
In our illustration, one of these Bearded Griffons or Golden Vultures
has discovered a Common Vulture (sometimes called the Goose Hawk)
feasting upon the carcass of a Pamir-sheep (one of the greatest of the
Sheep species, inhabiting lofty plateaus above the tree limit).
The Vulture at the feast hears the rushing of mighty wings and the
Bearded Griffon, followed by his wife, drops on a neighboring rock.
With spreading wings and wide opened bill, the Bearded Griffon flies on
his opponent to make him relinquish his booty; but the Vulture is not
easily scared off. He is courageous, passionate and artful. With ruffled
plumage, neck drawn in, beak opened to ward off the blow, he awaits the
attack. Suddenly he darts out the long neck quick as a wink and seeks to
give his enemy a blow with his beak. But the other is on his guard, and
the Vulture again takes the waiting attitude. But it will not last long;
the Bearded Griffon rushes on him, and with claws meeting these kings of
the air fight out a mighty battle. It is scarcely to be doubted that the
stronger Bearded Griffon will at last win the victory and divide the
spoil with his wife, while the exhausted and bleeding Vulture flies away
to seek some other supply to satisfy his hunger. So throughout all
nature the bitter fight for existence goes on, and ever the strong must
be overcome by the yet stronger.