And they were flying in the shape of a spade, so I believe.

It doesn't matter what spin-doctoring Stilo gives the vulture, tis still a bird of ill omen. I recall Poe's haunting short story "The vulture," which warned against Black Elvis. The vulture's shadow hung above his doorway, and it cried, "Clever Moor!"

Then again, the vultures did help Mugly at the end of the Jungle Book against that tiger Sure Can.