VULTURES. 191 



perience with them in Cuba, they are difficult birds to observe unless 

 one can find some tree on the fallen fruits of which they are feeding. 



The RUDDY QUAIL DOVE (822,1. Geotrygon montana) is a West Indian 

 and Central American species, which has been once recorded from Key West 

 (Atkins, Auk, vi, 1889, p. 160). It bears a general resemblance to the pre- 

 ceding, but the back is more rufous and the belly is deep cream-buff. 



The BLUE-HEADED QUAIL DOVE (S28. Starn.anas cyanocephala), a Cuban 

 species, is of accidental occurrence in the Florida Keys. The back is olive- 

 brown, the crown and sides of the throat are deep grayish blue, throat black, 

 line beneath the eye white. 



ORDER RAPTORES. BIRDS OF PREY. 



FAMILY CATHARTID^;. AMERICAN VULTURES. 



A New World family of eight species, of which three are North 

 American. Within their range Vultures are found wherever there is 

 food. Far above the earth on firm wing they sail in broad circles, and 

 from this outlook in the sky descend to feast upon the stricken deer 

 in the forest or the cur lying in the gutters of a thoroughfare. Except 

 during the nesting season, they are generally found in flocks, which 

 each night return to a regularly frequented roost. When alarmed, 

 they utter low, grunting sounds, but at other times are voiceless. 



325. Cathartes aura (Linn.). TURKEY VULTURE. (See Fig. 32.) 

 Ad. Head and neck naked, the skin and base of the bill bright red ; plum- 

 age glossy black, edged with grayish brown. Im. Similar, but the head 

 covered with grayish-brown furlike feathers. L., about 30-00; W., 22-00; 

 T., 11-00; B., 2-30. 



Range. Temperate North America, from New Jersey southward to Pata- 

 gonia. Of more or less regular occurrence in New Jersey as far north as 

 Princeton in the interior and Sandy Hook on the coast. 



Washington, abundant P. R. Sing Sing, A. V. 



J\ 7 est, in hollow stumps or logs, or on the ground beneath bushes or pal- 

 mettos. Eggs, one to three, dull white, generally spotted and blotched with 

 distinct and obscure chocolate marking, but sometimes plain or but slightly 

 spotted, 2-80 x 2'00. ' 



Doubtless one of the first things that attract the attention of a 

 stranger in our Southern States is the Turkey Buzzard. Indeed, there 

 are few moments between sunrise and sunset when these birds are 

 not in sight. On outstretched, immovable wings they soar overhead 

 in graceful circles, perfect pictures of "repose in motion." Without 

 once flapping their^broad pinions, they sail in spirals up the sky until 

 they are hidden by the storm-clouds they have purposely avoided. 



