THE TURKEY VULTURE. 



This bii'd is found mostly in 

 the southern states. Here he is 

 known by the more common 

 name of Turkey Buzzard. 



He looks like a noble bird but 

 he isn't. AVhile he is well fitted 

 for flying, and might, if he tried, 

 catch his prey, he prefers to eat 

 dead animals. 



The people down south never 

 think of burying a dead horse or 

 cow. They just drag it out 

 away from their homes and 

 leave it to the Vultures who are 

 sure to dispose of it. 



It is very seldom that they 

 attack a live animal. 



They will even visit the streets 

 of the cities in search of dead 

 animals for food, and do not 

 show much fear of man. Often- 

 times they are found among the 

 chickens and ducks in the barn- 

 yard, but have never been known 

 to kill any. 



One gentleman who has 

 studied the habits of the Vulture 

 says that it has been known to 



suck the eggs of Herons. This 

 is not common, though. As I 

 said they prefer dead animals 

 for their food and even eat their 

 own dead. 



The Vulture is very graceful 

 while on the wing. He sails 

 along and you can hardly see 

 his wings move as he circles 

 about looking for food on the 

 ground below. 



Many people think the Vulture 

 looks much like our tame tur- 

 key. 



If you know of a turkey near 

 by, just compare this picture 

 with it and you won't think so. 



See how chalk -white his bill 

 is. No feathers on his head, but 

 a bright red skin* 



AVhat do think of the young 

 chick ? It doesn't seem as 

 though he could ever be the 

 large, heavy bird his parent 

 seems to be. 



Now turn back to the first 

 page of July '^Birds'' and see 

 how he differs from the Eagle. 



72 



