264 KEMINISCEXCES OF A SPOETSMAN". 



swarmed with kites, which were attracted by the various 

 kinds of offal throwu into the streets, and were so fear- 

 less as to take their prey amongst the greatest crowds, it 

 being forbidden to kill them.* 



* In South America the small black vulture is never molested by the 

 inhabitants of the towns or villages, as they perform the duty of sca- 

 vengers, by devouring all the offal and filth that is left in the streets, 

 and they become so tame that you may approach within a few yards of 

 them without their showing any fear. 



