A Vulture Census 77 



bers when food is abundant, but with the other species it is 

 the rule that several are to be seen in company as they patrol 

 the air ; my observations indicate that the two species fra- 

 ternize but slightly at a repast. One will predominate wdiile 

 the other may be in evidence, but frequently only seen await- 

 ing an opportunity to participate later. 



In coming down to alight, the Black Vulture usually circles 

 but little ; he may come on half -closed wings with mighty 

 rush or drop gently down, down, down in an almost vertical 

 line, with wings well open or in graceful spirals, approach 

 the meal, but however it may be the legs will usually be seen 

 to drop some time before the bird alights ; on the other hand 

 the Turkey Vulture seems more determined on investigation 

 or may be more alert to danger and rarely drops direct to 

 perch or food but circles and quarters before coming to rest 

 and no sight of dropping feet or legs until the final stop. 

 Again a difference may be seen in times of heavy winds ; the 

 larger bird being able to adjust itself to gusts and squalls 

 by dip of planes, while the shorter, broader wings of the 

 Black Vulture demand the wing beats at such times. 



These birds fill an important position in our southern land, 

 particularly where we have the open range. They are in 

 no degree harmful, and yet it is not unusual for some wise- 

 headed legislator to conceive the idea of their spreading dis- 

 ease — Hog Cholera, Glanders, Anthrax, etc., and will too 

 often succeed in making some unfortunate statute removing 

 protection from these valuable birds. 



COURTSHIP AND NESTING. 



Black Vulture — I have several times noticed what I took 

 to be a love flight or courtship in which two birds make 

 rapid, prolonged flight in wide-spread circles, lasting eight 

 or ten minutes, at times shorter and again repeated soon. On 

 February 10-21-24 and March 10 of different years I have 

 recorded such occurrences and never have seen it wnth Tur- 

 key Vultures. 



March 24 two eggs were seen on the ground in the hollow 



