XXXV 
THE SCAVENGER FAMILY 
(Cathartide) * 
Tuis is one of the most useful of bird families. 
But it is not very pleasant to meet, for the work 
it has to do makes it rather repulsive to us. 
The vultures are scavengers. They dispose of 
vast quantities of carrion and other offensive 
matter. In doing this they make it possible for 
people to live in places where they could not live 
without the service of these birds. 
The common vulture in the United States is 
the Turkry VuLTuRE, or Turkey Buzzarp. 
He is a large bird, with head and neck bare of 
feathers. In shape and size he is a good deal 
like a turkey. He is a familiar bird all over 
the country, except in New England and other 
northern parts, and is usually seen soaring about 
in the air, looking for food. Beautiful and 
graceful he looks away up against the sky. He 
1 See Appendix, 28. 
