Turkey Buzzard. 257 



same description. In dimensions these eggs vary but little, 

 and have, on the average, a length of 2.78 inches, and a 

 width of 2.00, or rather less. 



Cathartes aura, as the Turkey Buzzard is known by the 

 scientific naturalist, is far from being demonstrative in the 

 expression of her feelings. When her home is assailed, she 

 makes no ado, but quietly slips out, and seemingly contem- 

 plates its desecration with indifference. 



Though manifesting a passive disposition in the face of 

 human interference, yet she is not always the gentle being 

 she would have us believe, as shown by the spirit of domi- 

 nancy she displays over her own household. 



Unlike many of her neighbors, she does not entirely 

 assume the responsibilities of brood-raising, permitting her 

 partner the happy enjoyment of a life of luxurious ease, but, 

 believing in the doctrine of a proper division of labor, forces 

 upon him his share of the work. 



Whilst she thus appears unduly exacting towards him, she 

 is equally so to her offspring. Few mothers know better 

 than she the right training of their children, so as to fit them 

 to become useful and respectable members of society. 



This is no figment of the imagination, as will presently be 

 seen. It was while exploring a section of Delaware County 

 of this State for minerals in the summer of 1894 that some 

 interesting facts were learned of the relation subsisting 

 between her and the rest of her family. 



Having accidentally strayed upon a young ground hog 

 which had but recently been killed, the writer resolved to 

 carry it home and place it where it could be seen or scented 

 by the Buzzards, so that he might have an opportunity of 

 making a more intimate acquaintance with these birds than 

 he had ever before been able to make. 



Accordingly the dead animal was transported to a 

 meadow overlooked by the house he was occupying. The 

 resolution was well taken, for on the fourth day after the 

 deposit had been made several Buzzards were seen circling 



