THE TURKEY VULTURE. 



421 



supposed that the birds really prefer decayed flesh. It is rather a matter of 

 necessity for them, inasmuch as they are unable, except in rare instances, t< > 

 rend a carcass sufficiently before an advanced stage of decomposition has 

 set in. 



Turkey Vultures have been known in an extremity of hunger to fall upon 

 sick lambs or young pigs, but the offense is so rare as to be easily condoned, 

 more especially 

 since the birds 

 are ordinarily 

 so useful as 

 scavengers. Oc- 

 casionally one 

 drifts over a 

 poultry yard 

 and causes con- 

 ster nation 

 among the un- 

 d i s c e r n i n g 

 fowl. I once 

 saw a Vulture 

 pass and repass 

 a yard in Co- 

 lumbus amidst 

 a great commo- 

 tion. The bird 

 was probably 

 a bit of a wag 

 who enjoyed 

 p 1 a y i n g Sir 

 Hawk-, without 

 the slightest 

 intention of 



harm. 



Vultures nest- 

 in trees. in 

 crannies of 

 cliffs, or upon 

 the ground, ac- 

 cording to the 

 nature of the 

 country in 

 which thev find 



