OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. >!) 



in defrauding him of his rightful property, but not without 

 considerable difficulty. When gorged, they appear stupid 

 and indisposed to exertion. The period of digestion is 

 ordinarily passed in a motionless, listless attitude, with 

 half-spread wings. 



Their flight is easy, graceful, and dignified. They 

 rise from the ground with a single bound, and after a few 

 wing-flappings, soar upward to a great height ; then move 

 in wide circles, or sail with a steady uniform motion, with 

 nearly horizontal wings, the tips alone being slightly eleva- 

 ted. They spend most of the time upon the wing. 

 Their flight is considerably protracted. Upon the ground, 

 they habitually walk, instead of moving by leaps. In habits, 

 they are gregarious, ordinarily associating in numbers, rang- 

 ing from a dozen or more. AVhen wounded, a peculiar 

 motion indicative of having been hit is suddenly made, 

 but the bird continues moving w r ith expanded and motion- 

 less wings as formerly, until having passed through con- 

 siderable space, it begins to descend by degrees in uniform 

 circles, until it finally settles upon the ground, lifeless and 

 motionless, the head drooping, and the wings still largely 

 and uniformly extended. 



The Turkey-Buzzard breeds ordinarily in hollow trees, 

 stumps or logs in a state of decay, either on the ground, 

 or but slightly elevated above it. Generally there is no 

 indication of a nest. Sometimes a few decayed leaves 

 are scratched into the hollow selected for the deposition of 

 the eggs. The latter are laid, no especial pains having 

 been previouslv taken for their preservation or shelter. 

 In the southern counties of New Jersey, we have occasion- 

 ally strayed upon the nest, in the midst of a deep and 

 almost impenetrable swamp. It was formed within an ex- 

 cavated stump. Along the Susquehanna, within the 

 rock-caverns of its banks, we have frequently discovered 

 it breeding ; several nests occasionally being observed 

 within a space of one hundred yards. These nests were 



