134 BIRDS OF THE BAHAMA ISLANDS. 



FAM. CATHARTID^. 



VULTURES. 



CATHARTES AURA. {Lmn.) 

 Turkey Buzzard. 



Local N^ame. — Crow. 



Winter Plumage, Male. — Above, marked with brown and black ; 

 shafts of the primaries, yellowish externally ; under parts, black, 

 becoming brown on the belly ; head, red, base showing only a few 

 short, bristly feathers; feet, pinkish; bill, bluish white. 



Length 27, wing 21, tail 10, tarsus 2.35. 



The Turkey Buzzard is abundant at Andros Island and at 

 Abaco. It is a resident and undoubtedly breeds in the Bahamas. 

 While walking along the beach, near Grassy Creek, Andros Island, 

 I observed a number of these birds perched upon a small tree, and 

 on turning a corner of the rock, suddenly came upon thirteen more 

 of them, feeding upon the body of a dead dog. They did not appear 

 to mind my presence in the least, and it was not until I had 

 approached within a few feet of them that they showed any inclina- 

 tion to leave their prey. Dr. Bryant gives this bird as abundant at 



