Note 143 — Chapter XIII · KITES AND HARRIERS
D. C. (Douglas Craven) Phillott translation
Kachal charkas; the Egyptian Vulture: kachal means “scald-headed;” charkas is corrupted form of karkas, a common term for a vulture. The Egyptian vulture feeds largely on human ordure, a habit that can be traced in the popular name given to it by soldiers in India.