86 



THE TURKEY VULTURE. 



THE KING VULTURE. 



The King Vulture is also a native of South America, seldom if ever 

 being seen north of Florida. Travellers relate that this species keeps 

 the other Vultures under subjection, and does not suffer them to ap- 

 proach a dead animal until he has completely satisfied his own appetite, 

 which is certainly none of the smallest. 



Vultures are gouerally protected by the natives of the countrie: 

 where they reside on account of their great utility in clearing away 

 the putrid animal matter, which would otherwise be exceedingly in- 

 jurious as well as disagreeable. The Turkey Buzzard or John Crow 

 {Cathartes Aura), or Jamaican Vulture, is protected by a fine of five 

 pounds, inflicted on any one who destroys the bird within a certain 

 d-stance of the principal towns. Waterton's account of this bird is 

 very interesting, and well worthy of notice. There are many different 

 species of Vultures inhabiting different countries, but their habits 

 as well as their forms are so similar that a detailed description of each 

 is needless. 



Waterton mentions that he once observed a pair of these birds sittijig 

 on a branch of a tree with a dozen of the common species waiting to 

 feast on a goat a jaguar had killed ; though they tolerated the others' 

 company they guarded their royal privileges with jealous care. 



THE TUBKET VULTURE. 



The Turkey Vulture is about two and a half feet in length, and six 

 m breadth. Byes 

 dark or reddish- 

 hazel. The head 

 and neck for about 

 an inch and a half 

 below the ears, 

 famished with a 

 reddish wrinkled 

 skin, and tints of 

 blue sprinkled 

 with short black 

 hairs. From the 

 hind-head to the 

 ueck-feathers the 

 epace is covered 

 w ith a black down. 

 'I he forepart of the 

 neck is bare to the 

 breast-bone. The plumage of the neck is large and tumid, and, with 

 that of the back and shoulders, nearly black ; almost all the rest of the 

 body is of the same color, in parts inclining to brown. Third primary 

 feather longest. The Avings extend to the end of the tail. The upper 

 plumage is generally glossed with green and bronze, having purplish 



tUEKET VOLTCRE OR BUZZARP. 



