BLACK VULTURE. 39 



The drab colour on the primaries is not visible when the 

 wing is closed, consequently the marking on the wing of our 

 figure is incorrect. 



In the month of December, 1815, a solitary individual of this 

 species made its appearance in Philadelphia. This visiter, as 

 may be presumed, occasioned not a little surprise. It was shot 

 with an air rifle, while perched upon the chimney of a large 

 house in Chesnut street. This bird was put into my hands for 

 examination; and from the appearance of its plumage, I had 

 reason to conjecture that it had escaped from confinement. 



From Vieillot's figure and description of the Black Vulture, 

 we must conclude that he had never seen it, either alive, or in 

 a recent state, otherwise he would not have committed the 

 egregious error, of representing the naked skin of the bill, head 

 and neck, of a blood red, when these parts are of a scurfy, black 

 colour, resembling the skin of a dirty negro.* 



* From Mr. Ord's supplementary volume. 



