LAMMERGEIER
Etymology
Noun
lammergeier (plural lammergeiers)
A long-winged vulture, Gypaetus barbatus, found in southern Europe, Africa and India.
Synonyms: bearded vulture, ossifrage
Source: Wiktionary
Lam"mer*geir, Lam"mer*gei`er, n. Etym: [G. lämmergeier; lamm, pl.
lämmer, lamb + geier vulture.] (Zoöl.)
Definition: A very large vulture (Gypaëtus barbatus), which inhabits the
mountains of Southern Europe, Asia, and Northern Africa. When full-
grown it is nine or ten feet in extent of wings. It is brownish black
above, with the under parts and neck rusty yellow; the forehead and
crown white; the sides of the head and beard black. It feeds partly
on carrion and partly on small animals, which it kills. It has the
habit of carrying tortoises and marrow bones to a great height, and
dropping them on stones to obtain the contents, and is therefore
called bonebreaker and ossifrage. It is supposed to be the ossifrage
of the Bible. Called also bearded vulture and bearded eagle. [Written
also lammergeyer.]
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition