374 CATHARTID^E, AMERICAN VULTURES. 



impervious septum ; tliis is a difference probably related to the oar- 

 rion-feediug' bubits of our species, and believed by some to be intended 

 to facilitate the freeing of the nostrils from the foul decomposing sub- 

 stances in which the bird's beak is often plunged. Tlie feathers lack 

 aftershafts, and the oil-gland upon the rump has no circlet of feathers ; 

 these are both present in a majority of Kaptorcs. Tliere are numer- 

 ous important anatomical, and especially osteological differences, but 

 I will only mention one ; the lower larynx is undeveloped, and as a con- 

 sequence our birds are mute ; their only voice is a curious hissing 

 sound, apparently formed in the mouth, not in the windpipe. 



It was long supposed, by savans as well as by those who might not 

 be expected to know better, that Vultures were chiefly guided to their 

 prey by scent; a belief that probably arose from consideration of the 

 size of their nostrils, and the very " gamey " nature of their usual food. 

 One of the first problems that occupied the attention of Audubon was 

 to discover whether the birds relied mainly on sigbt or smell. He made 

 a series of careful experiments, the results of which he laid before the 

 Wernerian Society of Edinburgh, December IG, 1826, in what he called 

 his "maiden speech," and has given a half-humorous account of the 

 feelings with which he attempted, on that, to him, momentous occasion, 

 to demolish the then existing beliefs, and establish the truth of what is 

 now generally admitted — thaf Vultures arechietly guided by their pierc- 

 ing eye-sight. Another absurd belief was, and perhaps still is, that 

 Vultures prefer putrid flesh ; in support of which one might point to a 

 group of Turkey Buzzards perched around a carcass, awaiting its de- 

 composition. But the reason is that their beaks and claws are not 

 strong enough to tear sound hide ; they can only attack a fresh carcass 

 at the eyes, nostrils, and vent, and when these parts are demolished, 

 must wait until putrescence is established, or until some carnivorous 

 bird or quadruped makes an opening. 



Although the Cathartidcc are indolent, cow^ardly birds, they some- 

 times — particularly the larger kinds — when pressed for food, attack live 

 animals, especially sick or disabled ones, and generally overpower them 

 in the end. Young i)igs and lambs are sometimes killed by the Turkey 

 Buzzard, which is only of medium size. But in this connection it should 

 be remarked, that whatever damage they may thus effect is far out- 

 weighed by their good offices as scavengers in clearing away garbage 

 and offal. This is the true place of these foul and unseemly birds in 

 nature's economy ; they have the beauty of utility, if no other ; and 

 their usefulness is recognized in all warm countries, where they are 

 encouraged in their familiarity with man, and rightly regarded as pub- 

 lic benefactors. 



Curious ornithologists have gone so far as to try the flavor of almost 

 every bird. Among those not ordinarily used for food, and which are 

 comparatively unsavory though not positively bad, may be reckoned 

 most of the cleaner sorts of rapacious birds. Thus a young Hawk is 

 passably good, though I believe that some such quality as that which 

 suggested the saying, " tough as a boiled Owl," renders in the whole 

 order. Crows and Eavens fall in the same category ; so do most of the 

 water-birds below the true wild- fowl, such as Pelicans, Cormorants, 

 Gaunetts, Gulls, Loons, and others that feed upon tish. But Vulture- 

 meat is certainly not to be thought of. One would think that the great 

 Israelitic law-giver hardly had need to interdict it, as he did however : 

 " Of all clean birds ye shall eat. But these are they of which ye shall 

 not eat : the Eagle and the Ossifrage, and the Osprey, and the Glede, 

 and the Kite, and the Vulture after his kind." As a more modern 



