from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Lammergeir \Lam"mer*geir\ (l[a^]m"m[~e]r*g[imac]r), Lammergeier
\Lam"mer*gei`er\, lammergeyer \lam"mer*gey`er\
(l[a^]m"m[~e]r*g[imac]`[~e]r), n. [G. l[aum]mmergeier; lamm,
pl. l[aum]mmer, lamb + geier vulture.] (Zool.)
A very large vulture ({Gypa["e]tus 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}.
[1913 Webster]