The KING OF THE VULTURES (_Sarcorhamphus papa_) has lately been separated
from the preceding under the name of _Gyparchus_, owing to some slight
variety in the shape of its nostrils. This bird, known to the writers of
former days under the significant appellation, "King of the Vultures," is
well worthy of the place thus assigned to it, both as regards its size
and general aspect, as well as for the mastery it asserts over other
members of its family. Its plumage is extremely beautiful; the fore part
of the back and upper wing-covers are bright reddish white, the belly
and lower covers pure white, and the wing and tail deep black; the ruff
around the neck, and the outer web of the quills are grey; the top of
the head and face are covered with short, stiff, flesh-coloured bristles
or feathers. The region of the eye exhibits a number of remarkable
warts, which, like the folds of skin that pass over the back of the
head, are dark red; the cere, neck, and head are light yellow, the
deep, lappet-like wattle is black, the beak yellowish white at its tip,
bright red in the middle, and black at its base; the feet are blackish
grey, and the eye of a silvery whiteness. The plumage of the young is
of an uniform nut brown, darkest upon the back and rump; the lower part
of the thighs is white. The length of this species has been variously
estimated--Tschudi gives it as thirty-two, Burmeister as thirty-four
inches. Its breadth is about sixty-seven inches and a half, the wing
measures twenty, and the tail nine inches. The female is larger than her
mate, but has a somewhat smaller wattle.
[Illustration: THE CONDOR (_Sarcorhamphus gryphus_, or _Sarcorhamphus
condor_).]
The King of the Vultures is found throughout all the lowland provinces of
South America, from thirty-two degrees south latitude as far as Mexico,
Teja, and Florida, where it usually frequents the primitive forests
or fertile plains. It is occasionally met with upon mountains, at an
altitude of 5,000 feet above the level of the sea, but is never seen in
barren districts or upon bare rocks. This species mainly subsists upon
carrion, and morning has scarcely dawned before it may be seen sweeping
over the face of the country, in search of the carcase of some creature
that has fallen a victim to the jaguar, or one of the many beasts of prey
that abound in large forests. Such a repast once found, the bird does not
immediately fall to and gorge itself after the manner of most Vultures,
but seats itself at some distance upon the ground, or on a neighbouring
tree, from whence, with head sunk between its wings, it casts longing
glances at the tempting meal, and appears to be endeavouring to put a
very keen edge indeed upon its appetite by this self-enforced abstinence,
which often lasts for a full half-hour. This unusual proceeding is
followed by an onslaught so vigorous, that the royal glutton forgets its
usual vigilant precautions for its own safety, and becomes so completely
gorged as to be unable to rise from the spot on which it has breakfasted.
Schomburghk tells us that whatever birds may be feasting on a dead
animal, the Vulture King no sooner arrives at the scene of action than
the busy crowd precipitately retire, leaving it in undisturbed possession
of the spoil, and only return in case a few scraps should be left after
the unwelcome monarch is fully satiated. Many writers have endeavoured
to prove the falsity of this statement, but it tallies exactly with our
own observations. We have frequently witnessed similar scenes, in which
the disappointed birds never ventured to interfere with the lord of the
feast, but perched around upon the trees, devouring with their eyes
what was unattainable in a more satisfactory and substantial manner.
Opinions also differ considerably as to the habits of this species during
the breeding season; we shall, therefore, only say that, according to
Burmeister, the King of the Vultures builds upon trees, and that the eggs
are white.
[Illustration: THE KING OF THE VULTURES (_Sarcorhamphus papa_).]
* * * * *
The GOOSE VULTURES (_Gyps_) are recognisable by their elongated body and
long, slender wings. The tail is of moderate length, and the tarsi low.
The neck, which constitutes the peculiar characteristic of this group,
resembles in its formation that of the Goose, and is covered with white
downy hair or bristles. The beak is comparatively long and feeble. The
plumage is composed of large feathers, and varies in its coloration,
according to the age of the bird. The young are easily distinguished from
their parents by the fact that the feathers which cover their bodies
are long and narrow, and that their necks are enveloped in a streaming,
ragged kind of frill. The members of this group are found throughout the
whole of the Eastern Hemisphere.