THE VULTURES 111 



in small squads, scatter in all directions. The black vul- 

 tures go out in companies, following each other one or two 

 at a time, and flying straight on a given course as if bent on 

 reuniting at some distant rendezvous. I have counted over 

 eight hundred birds at this roost. 



In all warm countries of the globe vultures are found, 

 and everywhere they render man the same great service as 

 scavengers. They are all large birds, in fact the largest 

 bird that flies is a vulture, the condor .of the Andes moun- 

 tains. In northern and western North America ravens 

 serve the purpose of the buzzards by eating the remains 

 of dead animals which have been left exposed. Although 

 grotesque in appearance and filthy in habits, the vultures 

 are among the best of man 's feathered friends. 



THOUGHT QUESTIONS 



Does the turkey buzzard live near you? Have you ever seen one of 

 their nests? Will vultures catch birds? Is a chicken afraid of a turkey 

 buzzard ? In making a list of all the useful birds you know, at what place 

 in the column would you put the vulture? Do buzzards sail more than 

 crows or robins when flying? Where do they sit when tired and wishing to 

 rest? Sometimes ladies wear long black quills in their hats; do you sup- 

 pose they know that many of these come from the turkey buzzard's wing? 



