638 



EAPTOEES, OE BIEDS OF PEEY. 



through ; the wings obtuse, and reaching a little beyond the tail. 

 There are three species : the Urubu ( Vultur 'atratus) and the 

 Turkey Buzzard (Vultur aura. Linn.), which are natives of 



Fig. 302. King Vultures (Sarcoramphus papa, Yarrell). 



America, and the Percnopterus (Vulture of Latham, Pharaoh's 

 Hen of Bruce), peculiar to the Old World. 



The URUBU ( Vultur atratus), Fig. 303, is the size of a small 

 Turkey. Its plumage, of a brilliant black, gives it a somewhat 

 dismal look, which is amply justified by its disgusting habits. 

 This bird is of a sociable nature, and is always met with in nume- 

 rous flocks. Like all birds which subsist on decaying matters, it 

 is the constant guest of man, and accompanies him in all his 

 wanderings through its habitat. In nearly all the large towns 

 of South America it has acquired rights of citizenship, where it 



