214 THE BIRDS OF MAINE 



" blizzard dollar ", (Hardy). Washington ; very rare, one specimen taken in 

 Calais, (Boardman). York; one killed in Buxton, December, 1876, (Brown, 

 C. B. P. p. 23). Mr. Hardy knows of two instances of birds being taken in 

 bear traps which from their description and bare red heads as described must 

 have been this species, and while taken in Maine, the exact locality is not 

 given by him. 



The Turkey Vulture occasionally straggles into Maine, there 

 being four specimens actually taken and preserved, two more 

 taken in bear traps and not preserved, and two more seen, a 

 total of eight in all known for the State. Two other specimens 

 ascribed to Mr. Boardman as taken in Maine, were actually as 

 I have it on Mr. Boardman's own authority taken over the 

 line in NEW BRUNSWICK. These stragglers are taken or 

 seen at various seasons from March to December. 



I became well aquainted with these birds in California. It 

 was a very common sight to see from one to a dozen or more 

 soaring in graceful circles far up in the air. When some stricken 

 animal or other carrion was seen the birds descended in grad- 

 ual circles until after soaring some time about the prey they 

 decided it was safe to alight. Often only one bird would be 

 in sight at the time when some carrion was first discovered by 

 it, but soon after its landing dozens would be seen in various 

 stages of arrival. 



When on the ground they hopped or half flew with clumsy 

 movements to the carcass at which they dove with their bills 

 until gorged, when if undisturbed they would either sit hunched 

 up in a semi-comatose condition on the ground, wings semi- 

 outspread drooping or if trees were at hand they flew into them 

 to sit likewise. 



Practically the only sound I have ever heard them utter is a 

 slight hiss. If disturbed when gorged they often vomit up their 

 food until sufficiently lightened to flop clumsily along the 

 ground until able to rise and when only a couple of feet above 

 the ground gracefully take up their soaring flight if any wind be 

 blowing to aid them. I have never known of their killing any 

 kind of game themselves though they will eat almost anything 



