BLACK VULTURE 265 



Doctor Ralph gives a grotesque picture of the 

 Vultures he has seen in the south " floating down 



FIG. 164. FIG. 165. 



Walking Foot of Vulture. Grasping Foot of Hawk. 



a stream on a dead alligator, cow, or other large 

 animal, crowded so closely together that they 

 could hardly keep their balance, and followed by 

 a number on the wing." 1 



Black Vulture : Caiharista atrata. 



Head and neck naked ; the skin blackish ; plumage blackish ; 



tail rather short, and square at end. Length, about 24 inches. 

 GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION. Breeds from North Carolina 



southward through Mexico to South America. 



"Both in their mode of flight and in their 

 movements upon the ground this species differs 

 materially from the Turkey Buzzard. The latter 

 walks steadily while on the ground, and when it 

 mounts does so by a single upward spring. The 

 Black Vulture is ill at ease on the ground, moves 



1 Bendire's Life Histories of North American Birds, p. 162. 



