192 VULTURES. 



Again, one sees them winging their way low over fields or through the 

 streets of a town in search of food, which their powers of both sight 

 and smell assist them in finding. 



Their services as scavengers are invaluable. The thought of bury- 

 ing a dead horse or cow never occurs to the southern planter. He 

 simply drags the animal to a more or less retired place and leaves it 

 for the Buzzards, who never fail to do justice to the repast. 



In some southern towns they make a self-constituted street-clean- 

 ing department, and if their efforts were seconded by a corps of goats, 

 to dispose of the more indigestible materials, they would form an ad- 

 mirable branch of the public service. 



After a rain it is a common sight to see Buzzards perching with 

 wings held in spread-eagle fashion as they dry their water-soaked 

 plumage. Frequently they stand on the top of a chimney to take ad- 

 vantage of the heat arising with the smoke. 



Their only note is a low, hissing sound uttered when they are dis- 

 turbed. Just after sunset Buzzards may be seen sailing to their 

 roosting place, generally in the upper branches of a dead tree. 



326. Catharista atrata {Bartr.). Black Vulture. Ad. — Head 

 and neck bare, the skin and base of the bill blackish ; plumage glossy black ; 

 under surface of the wings silvery. L., about 24-00 ; W., 17-00 ; T., 8-00 ; B., 

 2-20. 



Range. — Breeds from North Carolina southward, through Mexico to South 

 America, and occasionally strays as far north as Maine. 



Nest., on the ground, under logs, bushes, palmettos, etc. Eggs^ one to three, 

 pale bluish white, generally more or less spotted with distinct and obscure 

 chocolate markings, 2-95 x 2-00. 



This species is more abundant near the seacoast and less common 

 in the interior than the preceding. It is also more often found living 

 in towns or cities. Any one who has visited the vicinity of the market 

 in Charleston, S. C, will testify to its abundance and semi-domestica- 

 tion there. Indeed, the birds have become so tame that when engaged 

 in devouring some savory morsel they are in frequent danger of being 

 trodden under foot. 



Black Vultures are heavier birds than Turkey Buzzards, and when- 

 ever the ownership of food is in question the dispute is invariably 

 settled in the Vulture's favor. Their stretch of wing, however, is not 

 so great, and for this reason their flight is far less easy and graceful 

 than that of the Buzzard. They flap their wings oftener, and this 

 habit, in connection with their black heads, grayish pi-imaries, and 

 comparatively short tails, serves to identify them in the field. The only 

 note I have ever heard from them is a low grunt uttered when they 

 are disturbed. 



