160 



BlKDS OF NOHTII CaKOLI.N'A 



Genus Cathartes (lUig.) 

 142. Cathartes axira septentrionalis (Wicd.). Turkey Vulture. 



Description. — Black above and below, the feathers of the upperparts so broadly edged with 

 brown tliut the bird is more brown than lilaok above. Skin of head and neck red in adult, dusky 

 in young. L., about 30.00; W., 22.00; T., 12..-)0. 



Range. — -Temijerate and Tropical North America. 



Range in North Carolina. — Whole State at all sea.sons. 



Fia. 120. TlRKKY VlLTlRK. 



The Turkey N'ulture, Ix'tter known ;is the '■Tm-koy l?uz/,ar(l,"js one of our best 

 known birds, and has been considered a friend of man on aeeount of its work as a 

 scavenger and devourer of dead and unburied carcasses. However, veterinarians 

 assert that it carries the germs of hog-cholera from one hog-pen to anotlier, and 

 thus aids in the spread of that disease. 



Unhke tlie TMack \'ult\n'(', the Buzzard seems to slmw no piu'ticular jireference 

 for large carrion. Sailing low over the ground, it will stoj) as readily for a dead 

 snake or rabbit as for the remains of a cow. It can be ilistinguished from the Black 

 Vulture when flying by the fact that the wings are usually bent at the carpal joint 



