206 CATHARTES ATRATUS — CARRION CROW. 



an impression, as no man could stand such a charge for a 

 single moment. 



The flight of this species is powerful, and not without 

 grace. It sails high in the air in broad circles, and it rises 

 readily from the ground. In the southern States they 

 often mingle with the Carrion Crows, roosting on the same 

 trees and feeding on the same carcass. 



2. Cathartes Atratus, Bartram. — The Carrion Crow or 

 Black Vulture. 



Entire plumage deep black; head and naked portion of 

 the neck rough and warted, and thinly s^Drinkled with hairs, 

 color blackish ; bill longish, with wide nostrils ; legs rather 

 long, and tail even, while that of the preceding species is 

 somewhat rounding. Length of skin, 22 to 26 inches ; extent 

 of wings, 50 to 54; tail 8^ inches. 



This species is added to our fauna on the authority of 

 Audubon, who states that it is to be found along the Ohio 

 river as far up as Cincinnati, but if it visits us at all it is 

 but seldom. In the more southern States it is to be found 

 in great numbers, and, along with its cousin, the Turkey 

 Buzzard, it is protected by law. They sit on the house-tops 

 in the southern cities, and some even roost there. 



This is the smallest species of the Vulture known, and 

 its habits agree with the rest of the family. Carrion is its 

 delight. These birds are the scavengers of the South, and 

 remove on short notice any filth capable of being digested 

 by them. They form no nest, breed on the ground and lay 

 two eggs, and the young are fed by regurgitation. 



No specimen in the Museum of the Cleveland Academy 

 of Natural Science. 



