290 RAPTORES. 



the warmer parts of this continent. In the Northern and Middle 

 States of the American Union, it is partially migratory, the 

 greater part returning to the South on the approach of cold 

 weather. When full grown, it is not far from three feet long ; 

 and the wings expand six and one-third feet. The Turkey Buz- 

 zards live upon all sorts of foodj "they suck the eggs and 

 devour the young of many species of birds, and even eat birds 

 of their own species when they find them dead. They are 

 daily seen in the streets of the Southern cities, along with their 

 relatives, and often roost with them on the same trees." (And.) 

 In Jamaica, this bird is protected by a fine of five pounds ster- 

 ling inflicted upon any one who destroys it within a prescribed 

 distance from the principal towns. 



THE BLACK VULTURE, or CARRION CROW, C. atratus, (Lat. 

 clothed in black,) is smaller than the preceding; less elegant 

 in form, and less graceful in flight. It is a constant resident of 

 all the Southern States, and is seen, during the whole day, in the 

 principal Southern cities, flying or walking about the streets. 

 Those of Charleston resort at night to a swampy wood across the 

 Ashley river. Audubon, and "his friend John Bachman, vis- 

 ited this roosting place together." They estimated the number 

 of these vultures which they saw, at several thousands, spread 

 over an extent of two acres. 



THE CALIFORNIA VULTURE, C. Calif or nianus, is found in the 

 valleys and plains of the Western Slope of this Continent, and in 

 size bears the same proportion to the other species as a Golden 

 Eagle to a Goshawk. The length of this Vulture is fifty-five 

 inches. It builds its nest upon the loftiest trees ; the eggs are 

 two, nearly spherical, and jet Mack. 



THE EGYPTIAN VULTURE, Neophron percnopterus, (Gr. perknos, 

 black ; pteron, wing ;) sometimes called Pharaoh's Chicken, or 

 Hen, has a pure white plumage, except the great quill-feathers, 

 which are black ; the length is a little more than two feet. 



Sarcoramphus. (Gr. sarx, flesh; rhamphos, beak.) The 

 Vultures of this genus, have a fleshy tuft growing on their beaks, 

 somewhat like the wattles, or fleshy excrescences of the Turkey ; 

 they have also the Turkey's naked neck and long and oval 

 nostrils. 



THE CONDOR, S. gryphus, (Gr. grups, a griffon,) is a bird 

 respecting whose magnitude exaggerated statements have been 

 often made. It may, indeed, be ranked among the largest birds 

 which have the power of flight ; but the greatest authentic meas- 

 urement makes its length not more than five feet, and its expanse 

 of wings not more than fourteen. 



