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GIER EAGLE (‘gier’ is the same as the German Geier, ‘vulture,’ ‘hawk,’) is tr. [Note: translate or translation.] in AV [Note: Authorized Version.] of râchâm in Lev_11:16 and Deu_14:17, in both of which passages RV [Note: Revised Version.] has ‘vulture.’ RV [Note: Revised Version.] gives ‘gier eagle’ also as tr. [Note: translate or translation.] of peres in Deu_14:12, where AV [Note: Authorized Version.] has ‘ossifrage’ (lit. ‘bone-breaker’). The peres is the bearded vulture or Lämmergeier, ‘the largest and most magnificent of the vulture tribe.’ The adult râchâm has the front of the head and the upper part of the throat and cere naked, and of a bright lemon-yellow. The plumage is of a dirty white, except the quill feathers, which are of a greyish black. Its appearance when soaring is very striking and beautiful. It is the universal scavenger of Egyptian cities. It is found in great abundance also in Palestine and Syria.