14 TURKEY VULTURE. 



In New Jersey,* the Turkey-buzzard hatches in May, the 

 deep recesses of the solitary swamps of that state affording si- 

 tuations well suited to the purpose. The female is at no pains to 

 form a nest with materials; but having chosen a suitable place, 

 which is either a truncated hollow tree, or an excavated stump 

 or log, she lays on the rotten wood from two to four eggs, of a 

 dull dirty white, splashed all over with chocolate, mingled with 

 blackish touches, the blotches largest and thickest towards the 

 great end; the form somewhat like the egg of a goose, but 

 blunter at the small end; length two inches and three quarters, 

 breadth two inches. The male watches often while the female 

 is sitting; and if not disturbed they will occupy the same breed- 

 ing place for several years. The young are clothed with a 

 whitish down, similar to that which covers young goslings. If 

 any person approach the nest, and attempt to handle them, they 

 will immediately vomit such offensive matter, as to compel the 

 intruder to a precipitate retreat. 



The Turkey-buzzards are gregarious, peaceable and harmless; 

 never offering any violence to a living animal, or, like the plun- 

 derers of the Falco tribe, depriving the husbandman of his stock. 

 Hence, though in consequence of their filthy habits they are 

 not beloved, yet they are respected for their usefulness; and in 

 the southern states, where they are most needed, they, as well 

 as the black vultures, are protected by a law, which imposes 

 a fine on those who wilfully deprive them of life. In the mid- 

 dle and northern states, being unprotected by law, these useful 

 birds are exposed to persecution, and, consequently, they avoid 

 the residence of man. They generally roost in flocks, upon the 

 limbs of large trees; and they may be seen in a summer's morn- 

 ing, spreading out their wings to the rising sun, and remain- 

 ing in that posture for a considerable time. Pennant conjectures 

 that this is " to purify their bodies, which are most offensively 



* The author mentions New Jersey in particular, as in that state he has visi- 

 ted the breeding places of the Turkey-buzzard, and can therefore speak with 

 certainty of the fact. Pennsylvania, it is more than probable, affords situations 

 equally attractive, which are also tenanted by this Vulture, for hatching and 

 rearing its young. 



