22 BLACK VULTURE. 



extended to them, in the states of South Carolina and Georgia, 

 where they abound. 



In one of Wilson's journals, I find an interesting detail of the 

 greedy and disgusting habits of this species; and shall give the 

 passage entire, in the same unadorned manner in which it is 

 written. 



" February 21, 1809. Went out to Hampstead* this fore- 

 noon. A horse had dropped down in the street, in convulsions; 

 and dying, it was dragged out to Hampstead and skinned. The 

 ground, for a hundred yards around it, was black with Carrion- 

 crows; many sat on the tops of sheds, fences, and houses with- 

 in sight; sixty or eighty on the opposite side of a small stream. 

 I counted at one time two hundred and thirty-seven, but I be- 

 lieve there were more, besides several in the air over my head, 

 and at a distance. I ventured, cautiously, within thirty yards 

 of the carcass, where three or four dogs, and twenty or thirty 

 Vultures, were busily tearing and devouring. Seeing them take 

 no notice, I ventured nearer, till I was within ten yards, and 

 sat down on the bank. Still they paid little attention to me. The 

 dogs being sometimes accidentally flapped with the wings of the 

 Vultures, would growl and snap at them, which would occasion 

 them to spring up for a moment, but they immediately gather- 

 ed in again. I remarked the Vultures frequently attack each 

 other, fighting with their claws or heels, striking like a cock, 

 with open wings, and fixing their claws in each other's head. 

 The females, and I believe the males likewise, made a hissing 

 sound, with open mouth, exactly resembling that produced by 

 thrusting a red hot poker into water; and frequently a snuffling, 

 like a dog clearing his nostrils, as I suppose they were theirs. 

 On observing that they did not heed me, I stole so close that 

 my feet were within one yard of the horse's legs, and again sat 

 down. They all slid aloof a few feet; but seeing me quiet, they 

 soon returned as before. As they were often disturbed by the 

 dogs, I ordered the latter home: my voice gave no alarm to the 



* Near Charleston, South Carolina, 



