THE BLACK VULTURE. 423 
riously affect only one sense—that of smell. If caught upon the nest the 
female will hiss defiantly. Besides this, the birds have only one note, a low 
guttural croak—of alarm rather than warning. If closely beset the bird is 
said to eject the contents of its crop—an effectual defense, in very soc th. 
It would appear that Turkey Vultures have very materially decreased 
in numbers in our state during the past fifty years. It is probable that this 
decrease is due in large measure to the gradual failure of their food supply. 
Wild meat is entirely lacking, and the necessary untidiness of the pioneer days 
has given place to thriftier habits on the part of our farmers. 
No. 189. 
BLACK VULTURE. 
A. O. U. No. 326. Catharista urubu (Vieill.). 
Synonym.—Carrion Crow. 
Description —Aduli: Entire plumage black, somewhat lustrous above, and 
with greenish reflections; very dark brownish black below; wing-quills edged with 
gray and grayish brown, whitish on under surface and with white shatts ; naked 
skin of head and neck and “cere”, blackish; tip of bill yellowish white. Young 
not different. Length 23.00-27.00 (584.2-685.8) ; extent about four and a half 
feet; wing 17.09 (431.8) ; tail 8.00 (203.2); bill 2.10 (53.3). 
Recognition Marks.—Brant size; dusky head serves to distinguish from 
Cathartes aura; smaller; flight more labored; tail shorter, etc. 
Nesting.—Does not breed in Ohio. Nest, in hollow trees or logs or on the 
= 
ground under logs, palmettos, projecting stones and the like. Eggs, 1-3, pale 
bluish white, marked as in preceding species, but perhaps less heavily. Av. size, 
3.00 X 2.00 (76.2 x 50.8). 
General Range.—South Atlantic and Gulf States, north irregularly to North 
Carolina and the lower Ohio Valley, west to the Great Plains, and south through 
Mexico and Central America, the West Indies, and most of South America. Strag- 
gling north to New York, New England, and South Dakota. Breeds in the United 
States from North Carolina coastwise to Texas, and in the interior to Indiana, 
Illinois. and Kansas. 
Range in Ohio.—‘Rare or accidental winter visitor in southwestern Ohio 
only” (Wheaton). One recent record, Reynoldsburg, February 6, 1895 (Jones). 
SERVICES which in our northern cities are usually delegated to a 
“White-wings” brigade, are regularly performed in some quarters of the 
South by regiments of Black-wings. Swarthy and unsavory scavengers they 
