Retrospective Criticism, 169 



evidence of any knowledge that his favourite food was so near 

 him. This was repeated for several days in succession, with 

 the same results. 



I did not consider this last experiment as conclusive as 

 others did who witnessed it. The bird might not have been 

 wholly free from the pain inflicted by the operation, nor 

 might he have been so soon reconciled to the new situation 

 into which he had been thrown by the loss of sight ; but, in 

 connection with other experiments, it strengthened us in the 

 opinions we had formed. 



After having resorted to the means detailed above, to 

 satisfy myself of the accuracy of the statements of Audubon 

 as regards the habits of the turkey buzzard, detailed in Jame- 

 son's Journal [for October and December, 1826], I once more 

 carefully read over his remarks on the subject ; and I now 

 feel bound to declare that every statement contained in that 

 communication is in accordance with my own experience, 

 after a residence of twenty years in a country where the vul- 

 tures are more abundant than any other birds. 



We were not aware that any other experiments could be 

 made to enable us to arrive at more satisfactory results, and, 

 as we feared, if continued, they might become offensive to the 

 neighbours, we abandoned them. 



As my humble name can scarcely be known in Europe, I 

 have thought proper to obtain the signatures of some of the 

 gentlemen who aided me in, or witnessed, these experiments ; 

 and I must also add that there was not an individual, among 

 the crowd of persons who came to judge for themselves, who 

 did not coincide with those who have given their names to 

 this certificate. 



" We, the subscribers, having witnessed several of the 

 experiments made on the habits of the vultures of Carolina 

 (Cathartes Aura and Cathartes atratus), commonly called the 

 turkey buzzard and carrion crow, feel assured that these species 

 respectively are gregarious ; the individuals of each species 

 associating and feeding together ; that they devour fresh as 

 well as putrid food of any kind, and that they are guided to 

 their food altogether through their sense of sight, and not 

 that of smell. 



" E. F. Leitner, Lecturer on Botany and Nat Hist. 

 B. B. Strobel, M.D. Martin Strobel. 



Robert Henry, A.M., Pres. Coll. of S. Carolina. 

 John Wagner, M.D., Professor of Surgery, Med. 



Coll. of the State of South Carolina. 

 Henry R. Frost, M.D., Professor of Materia 

 Medica, Coll. of the State of South Carolina." 



