CATHARTID^ — THE AMERICAN VULTURES. 353 



merous, forty or fifty being frequently seen in a single company. They 

 abounded in all parts of Central America that he visited. 



With the exception of Quisccdus macrurus, Mr. Salvin regards this species 

 as the most familiar bird in Guatemala. At night they retired to the 

 forests, and in the early morning trooped back to their posts in the streets 

 and lanes, and about the tops of the houses and churches. They generally 

 nested in the forests, though in Antigua Guatemala they were said to use 

 the ruins of the old churches for that purpose. 



Mr. Dresser found this Vulture about equally common with the B. aura on 

 the Lower Kio Grande, but much less common near San Antonio. He usu- 

 ally found the two species in company, attended also by the Polyhorus audu- 

 honi and Craxirex harrisi. They were found breeding among the rocks at 

 Systerdale, where they were said to be the only species found. 



Dr. Coues did not meet with any in Arizona, nor were any taken on the 

 survey of the Mexican boundary. In South Carolina he considered it 

 cliieHy confined to the lower country, while the C. aura is more generally 

 distributed over the State. The two meet together freely, and as they circle 

 about in each other's company they afford an excellent opportunity of no- 

 ticins the great differences in their mode of flight and in the outline of their 

 bodies and wings. On the other hand, Wilson, Ord, and others deny that 

 the two kinds live together. 



In the Southern Atlantic cities, especially Charleston and Savannah, the 

 Black Vulture is a semi-domestic bird, and is very abundant. It is also to 

 be found in the interior, but is neither so common nor so tame. 



The Catharista atratus is said to be much more sensitive to cold than the 

 aura, and when the weather is at all unfavorable they cower around the tops 

 of chimneys to enjoy the heat. Though tolerated and even protected by 

 law, their filthy habits render them a source of annoyance to those whose 

 houses they frequent. Their value as scavengers and the services they render 

 in the removal of offal render them almost a necessity in Southern cities. 



Both in their mode of fliglit and in their movements upon the ground 

 this species differs materially from the Turkey-Buzzard. The latter walks 

 steadily while on the ground, and when it mounts does so by a single up- 

 ward spring. The Black Vulture is ill at ease on the ground, moves awk- 

 wardly, and when it essays to fly upward takes several leaps in a shuttling 

 sidelong manner before it can rise. Their flight is more labored, and is con- 

 tinued by flapping several times, alternating with sailing a limited distance. 

 Their wings are held at fight angles, and their feet protrude beyond their 

 tail-feathers. In all these respects the differences between the two birds are 

 very noticeable, and plainly mark the species. 



INIr. Audubon states that at the commencement of the mating-season, early 

 in February, the gesticulations of the males are very conspicuous. They 

 strut in the manner of a Turkey-cock, open their wings, lower their heads, 

 and utter a puffing sound that is anything but musical. 



VOL. ni. 45 



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