This was what the Boers and the natives call the "king vulture," one of which goes with every flock.
He it is who rules the roost and also the carcase, which without his presence and permission none dare to attack.

Whether this vile fowl is of a different species from the others, or whether he is a bird of more vigorous growth and constitution that has outgrown the rest and thus become their overlord, is more than I can tell.

At least it is certain, as I can testify from long and constant observation, that almost every flock of vultures has its king.
When this particular royalty had arrived, the other aasvogels, of which perhaps there were now fifty or sixty gathered round Hans, began to show signs of interested animation.

They looked at the king bird, they looked at Hans, stretching out their naked red necks and winking their brilliant eyes.

I, however, did not pay particular attention to those upon the earth, being amply occupied in watching their fellows in the air.
With delight I observed that the vulture is a very conservative creature.