Some of the vultures--such as the lammergeyer--have almost all the habits of the eagle.

The lammergeyer always kills what he eats, unless when pressed by hunger; and there is a singular fact in relation to the food of this bird,--he prefers certain parts of the bones of animals to their flesh!" It is somewhat strange that the boy hunter, Lucien, should have known this "fact," as I believe it is not in possession of the naturalists.
I, myself, was made acquainted with it by one of the "feeders" of the superb collection in Regent's Park--who had observed this propensity for bone-eating in a young African lammergeyer.

He had observed also that the bird was always healthier, and in better spirits, on the days when he was indulged in his favourite osseous diet.

These men usually know more of natural history than the catalogue-makers and teeth-measurers of the museum and the closet.
"Perhaps," continued Lucien, "one of the most essential points of difference between the vulture and eagle lies in the claws.

The claws of the vultures are less developed, and their limbs want the muscular power that those of eagles possess.