Page:Mongolia, the Tangut country, and the solitudes of northern Tibet vol 2 (1876).djvu/265

Rh you should select the alpine belts of the mountains, to which they are more readily attracted than to the low valleys, where these cautious birds will sometimes absolutely refuse your bait, if any human habitations be near.

The sport is full of interest. Hardly have you seated yourself before the kites fly down and wheel in long low circles round the meat, but their suspicions are aroused and they take their departure. The next to appear are magpies and crows, cawing and hopping round the dainty morsels, without venturing to touch them. At last one bolder than the others seizes a piece of the meat, but, frightened at his own temerity, drops it again and retires. But the ice once broken, others soon follow suit. Here comes a raven who has been watching the proceedings from a short distance, and now with waddling gait approaches the carrion, and pauses a minute or two before thrusting his beak in and swallowing a morsel. Then magpies fall to; the kites, plucking up courage, descend from all sides, and the feast begins in earnest; such noise, such fighting and screeching!

All this time you remain perfectly still in your place of concealment, impatiently watching the expected arrival of the prize you covet. But hark! what is that rustling noise? a lammergeier has descended. Yes! it is indeed that handsome bird which, after wheeling a few times round the exposed meat, perches on yonder ledge. But where are the vultures? Perhaps they have by this time espied