lammergeir \lam"mergeir\ la^m"m~ergimacr, lammergeier
\lam"mergei`er\, lammergeyer \lam"mergey`er\
   la^m"m~ergimac`~er, n. g. laummmergeier; lamm,
   pl. laummmer, lamb + geier vulture. zool.
   a very large vulture gypa"etus 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
see also:
gypa"etus barbatus bonebreaker ossifrage bearded vulture bearded eagle