200 LIFE-HISTORIES OF BIRDS 



often seen as early as the last week of March, when the 

 season was unusually early ; and, occasionally, as late as the 

 middle of April. A few individuals are known to remain 

 in the vicinity of their breeding-quarters throughout the 

 entire year ; especially is this the case, when the winters 

 are not extremely rigorous. Mr. T. II. Jackson of West 

 Chester, Pa., as cited by Dr. Brewer, affirms that this 

 Vulture breeds at Parkersburg near the western boundary of 

 Chester County. It certainly does not breed within the limits 

 of Philadelphia, although in Delaware County, between 

 Media and Chester, we have observed paired individuals 

 in early April, under rather suspicious circumstances. In 

 Jamaica, according to Mr. Gosse, depressions in the rocks. 

 and in the ledges thereof, in retired localities, or among inac- 

 cessible cliffs, are noted nesting- resorts. Mr. Audubon 

 found this species rather abundant on Galveston Island, 

 where it nests either under wide-spread cactus branches, or 

 underneath low bushes in the midst of tall grasses, in a level 

 portion of saline marshes. 



In the vicinity of Cheraw, S. C., Dr. C. Kollock as cited 

 by Dr. Brewer, says that both the Black Vulture and this 

 species are frequent denizens of the interior of swamps and 

 dense forests, where they congregate in vast numbers, dur- 

 ing the entire year. These places are commonly designated 

 Buzzards' roosts. Mr. Audubon visited a roost in the 

 vicinity of Charleston of the same State, which covered 

 more than two acres of ground, and which was completely 

 denuded of vegetation. 



On the banks of rnanv of the rivers of Southern Texas. 

 Mr. Dresser found this species nesting in large numbers, the 

 timber along their borders constituting comfortable and 

 secure shelter. Contrary to w r hat has alwavs been entertained 

 relative to their nesting, he affirms that they build large and 

 bulky structures of sticks, which they place at considerable 

 heights on either an oak or a cypress, close by the river-bank. 

 Captain C. C. Abbott says, in the Falkland Islands, the eggs 



