236 THE WORLD'S LUMBER ROOM. 



unable to fly, they will just flutter off a few yards when 

 disturbed, but will not trouble themselves to do more. 



The Aura vulture, popularly known as the Turkey- 

 buzzard, from its resemblance to the farmyard-gobbler, is 

 found wherever the country is moderately damp. On the 

 coast of Patagonia it lives solely on what the waves throw 

 up, dead seals and the like, and each herd of seals is sure 

 to have a Turkey- buzzard watching it attentively. In hot 

 countries it is a great blessing, and enjoys the protection of 

 the American Spaniards, to whom it is very useful, since it 

 haunts the slaughter-houses, walking about as tamely as the 

 barndoor fowl, and eating up all the refuse. To the planter 

 it is also welcome, and the day after the customary burning 

 of the trash in the cane-fields, it is sure to be there feeding 

 on the snakes, lizards, frogs, and other animals, which have 

 been stifled by the smoke. It also did inestimable service, 

 says Mr. Waterton, during the plague in Malaga, for it was 

 impossible to bury the dead, and though they were thrown 

 into the sea, many were washed on shore again, and when 

 the wind blew landwards might have produced a second 

 pestilence but for the vultures which came down from 

 the hills. 



The King of the Vultures, a bird with bare head and 

 neck, which are coloured rich scarlet on both sides, is 

 so called from the respect with which he is treated by 

 the common vultures, none of whom seem inclined to 

 begin their meal until he has finished his, though as many 

 as a score may be present watching him, and will fall 

 to eagerly when he has withdrawn. 



In England the chief scavenger-birds, besides the gull, 



