William Home Lizars

'Neophron (The 'Alpine' or 'Egyptian Vulture') is an original engraving published and engraved by William Home Lizars for Sir William Jardine's 'Naturalist Library' in 1840.

Neophron, the 'Alpine' or 'Egyptian Vulture', as its name implies is an inhabitant of Egypt and Southern Europe. The colour of the adult bird is nearly white, with the exception of the quill feathers of the wing, which are dark brown. The face, bill and legs are bright yellow. The white plumage of the male and female birds is not attained until they have completed their third year. Due to its colouration, it is also called the 'White Crow' by the Dutch colonists, and 'Akbobas', or 'White Father', by the Turks. Another familiar name given is 'Pharaoh's Chicken' because it is so frequently represented in the hieroglyphic inscriptions of Egypt.

Since the 'Egyptian Vulture' is protected by strict laws, it walks fearlessly about its native land and renders a great service by devouring myriads of lizards, rats and mice, which would render cultivation usless if the numbers were not kept within the limits by the exertion of this useful Vulture. They generally feed on dead carrion, making them a great benefit to the countries they inhabit.

All the birds of prey, called scientifically 'Raptatores', or 'Accipitres' are known by their compressed and hooked beaks, the powerful talons, and the twelve or fourteen quill-feathers of the tail. Vultures are distinguished by the shape of their beak, nearly straight at the top, and suddenly curving at the tip. The middle toe is larger than the others, and the outer toes are connected to them at their base by a small membrane. The head and upper part of the neck is nearly featherless in the majority of this species. Their eyes are un-shaded by the feathery ridge, which overhangs these organs in the eagles.