222 Mr. G. C. Taylor on Birds collected 



XXVI. — On Birds collected or observed in the Rejjublic of Hon- 

 duras, with a short Account of a Journey across that count?'?/ 

 from the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean. (Part III.) By George 

 Cavendish Taylor^ F.ll.G.S. 



[Continued from page 122.J 



54. Turkey Vulture. [Cathartes aura.) 



This Vulture is common in Honduras. It docs not, however, 

 go much into the towns and villages, but is usually seen in the 

 outskirts and in the forest. It is the only species found in 

 Jamaica ; and in Kingston is always to be seen sitting on the 

 roofs of the houses, or feeding on carrion in the streets near the 

 edge of the harbour. I have frequently been awakened early in 

 the morning by the noise made by their feet on the shingles 

 covering the roof of the house over my head. While residing in 

 Kingston, I used often to puzzle the Vultures by throwing dried 

 bird-skins stuffed with cotton out upon an adjacent roof. Few 

 seconds would elapse before a Vulture would pounce down upon 

 it ; and it was curious to observe its manifest disappointment at 

 finding nothing to eat in a skin of so natural and promising an 

 appearance. I once wrapped the carcase of a bird I had skinned 

 in a piece of paper, and threw it into the top of a thickly- leaved 

 tree, just opposite to my window. It lodged in the upper 

 branches; and being partially concealed from above by the 

 leaves, it remained there for a long time. Frequently the Vul- 

 tures would sweep within a few feet of it, almost brushing the 

 leaves of the tree with their wings. Their sense of smell in- 

 formed them that there was something eatable close by ; but it 

 is not surprising that their sight failed to solve the difficulty, as 

 Vultures are not accustomed to have their food done up in paper 

 like packets of sandwiches. Such carcases as I threw out of the 

 window on the ground were seized upon by them immediately. 

 They would dart down from the neighbouring roofs like pigeons 

 do when grain is thrown for them. 



55. Black Vulture. [Cathartes atratus.) 



This Vulture is very abundant in Honduras, and, while the 

 last species chiefly inhabits the forest, this is always to be seen in 

 the villages, sitting on the roofs of the houses, wheeling in flocks 



