47 



CATHARTES ATRATUS (Bartram.) 



BLACK VULTURE. 



This small Vulture is probably th.e most numerous Ameri- 

 can species of this family. It is found over a very large 

 geographical area ; the most northern point to which it has 

 been observed to extend being the vicinity of Puget Sound, in 

 latitude 47 to 48 "north ; and the most southern, Eio Negro, in 

 latitude 41 south. It ought, however, to be mentioned that 

 though on the western side of the North American continent 

 this species occurs as far north as latitude 47 or 48, on the eastern 

 it is not found further north than about the 39th degree of 

 north latitude, and also that there are many large tracts of 

 country intervening between the extreme limits of its geogra- 

 phical range which are not frequented by it, especially such 

 districts as are of an elevated or arid character. By some 

 naturalists it is supposed that the Black Vultures of North 

 America differ specifically from those of South America, bvit 

 I have never myself observed any distinction between the 

 two to warrant such a conclusion. This Vulture is grega 

 rious in its habits, and is also one of the most familiar birds of 

 tliis family, frequenting in considerable numbers many of the 

 cities of the American continent (where it is usually protected 

 on accoimt of its usefulness as a scavenger), and often eviaciiig 

 not only great familiarity, but also very remarkable intelli- 

 gence, and a power, when brought up tame, of acquiiing and 

 evincing an attachment to persons from whom it may receive 

 kindness or attention." The food of the Black Vulture consists 

 of miscellaneous carrion, including excrementory substances. 

 In North America it is said to attack and destroy feeble lambs, 

 3'ovmg pigs, and larger animals when wounded or ill, and 



