TURKEY-BUZZARDS. 15 



extraordinary length and breadth, and their 

 livery gray, like that of our common wild rabbit. 

 The skunk, fViverra putorius,) is commonly 

 found in the vicinity of the settlement ; squirrels 

 frolic in the highest trees ; and many bats, of 

 small size, flit in the evening twilight. 



The birds most conspicuous near the settle- 

 ment are vultures, or " turkey-buzzards." One 

 of the two most common species has the general 

 plumage brown-black; the under surface of 

 the wings silver-gray ; the head and upper half 

 of the neck are naked, and of a bright scarlet 

 colour ; the head bears a resemblance to that 

 of the domestic turkey, and the legs and feet 

 (which are white) approach nearer in appear- 

 ance to those of the gallinaceous than predaceou3 

 tribes of birds. The other, and more numerous 

 species of vulture, is much larger than the last- 

 described. Its plumage is brown and white, 

 and with the exception of a naked and scarlet 

 space on each cheek, its head and neck are 

 entirely clothed with feathers. These birds are 

 usually perched on commanding heights, watch- 

 ing for prey ; and during the butchering of an 

 ox attend in vast flocks to devour the offal : 

 their utility as scavengers (in which duty they 

 are assisted by some carrion-crows) amply com- 

 pensating for their foul habits and disgusting 



