Descriptive List 161 



so that the forward primaries point obliquely backward, instead of at right angles 

 to the body, as is the case with our other vulture. 



Although it is not an uncommon joke in this State to say that the "Buzzard" is 

 protected as a "song-bird," yet, as all who are familiar with it can testify, it is 

 practically voiceless. An occasional hiss, uttered when disturl)ed at the nest or 

 when quarreling with others over its food, is the only sound that we have ever heard 

 the adult birds utter. Young in the nest, however, are sometimes very noisy. 



In central North Carolina the eggs are laid in April or May. These are two in 

 number and are deposited in a slight depression on the ground in the shelter formed 

 by an overhanging rock, a fallen tree-trunk, or even the limbs of a prostrate tree. 

 Sometimes they are laid in the hollow base of a tree or within a hollow log. They 

 have a creamy white ground-color, blotched and spotted with various shades of 

 brown and lavender. Size 2.74 x 1.89. The young at first are covered with white 

 down. 



Genus Catharista (Vieill.) 



143. Catharista urubu urubu {Vieill.). Black Vulture. 



Description. — -Uniform dull black, including bare skin of head and neck. L., about 23.00; 

 W., 17.00; T., 8.00. 



Range. — Tropical and warm temperate America from North Carohna to Argentina. 



Range in North Carolina. — Irregularly present at all seasons in all parts of the State east of 

 the mountains. 



Fig. 121. Black Vulture. 



The Black Vulture, sometimes called in this State the "South Carolina Buz- 

 zard," occurs irregularly at all seasons, and usually in flocks, throughout the greater 

 part of North Carolina. In the mountains, however, our only record comes from 

 Buncombe County, where Cairns called it very irregular in its occurrence. At 

 Chapel Hill, and at Greensboro, Pearson has never seen them except in November, 

 December, and January. 



The eggs, which are often laid on the ground, in canebrakes, or in thick growths 

 of vines and underbrush, are two, and are a little larger than those of the Turkey 

 Vulture, and with fewer markings; they differ also in the ground-color, this being 



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