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The jot a (vultor jota) resembles much the 

 aura, a species of vulture^ of which there is 

 perhaps but one variety. It is distinguished, 

 however, by the beak, which is grey with a black 

 point. All the plumage is black, except the 

 q''ills of the wings, which are brown ; its head 

 is f^^stitile of feathers, and covered with a 

 wrinkled skin of a reddish colour ; the legs are 

 brown. It acquires its colour with age; for 

 when it is young it is almost white, and does not 

 begin to change until after it has quitted the nest. 

 The first black spots appears upon the back, and 

 is very small, but exte.>ds gradually over the 

 whole body. Notwithstanding the size of this 

 bird, which is nearly that of the turkey, and its 

 strong ail J crooked talons, it attacks no other, 

 but feeds principall} upon carcasses and reptiles. 

 It is extremely indolent, and will frequently 

 remain for a long time almost motionless, with 

 its wings extended, sunning itself upon the rocks 

 or the roofs of the houses. When in pain, which 

 is the only time that it is known to make any 

 noise, it utters a sharp cry like that of a rat, and 

 usually disgorges what it has eaten. The flesh 

 of this bird emits a fetid smell that is highly 

 olFeiisive. The manner in which it builds its 

 nest is perfectly correspondent to its natural in- 

 dolence ; it carelessly places between rocks, or 

 even upon the ground, a few dry leave? or 



