CO 



VERTEBRATA, 



TURKEY BCZZARDS. 



iously observed, so far, at least, as it related to the vulture, from whose flesh there arises such an 

 unsavory odor that we question if all the sweetening processes ever invented could render it palat- 

 able to Jew, Pagan, or Christian." 



The turkey-buzzard is two feet long, with six feet expanse of wing ; the head and neck, for an 

 inch and a half below the ears, are covered with a reddish, caranculated skin ; above the color is 

 black, glossed with green and bronze, with purplish reflections ; beneath it is sooty black. 



The Black Vulture, or Carrion Crow — the Urubu, of South America, Vultur atratm 

 of Wilson — is included in the genus Coragyps^ meaning Crow-Vulture, of Le Maout. It is of the 

 size of a small turkey, the body being of a shining black ; the skin of the head and neck black 

 and wrinkled. This species is even more abundant than the preceding, extending in its range 

 from North Carolina to Cape Horn. In the towns and villages of the Southern States, particu- 

 larly Charleston and Savannah, they may be seen, either sauntering about the streets, sunning 

 themselves on the roofs of the houses and fences, or, if the weather be cold, cowering around the 

 tops of the chimneys, to enjoy the benefit of the heat, which to them is a peculiar gratification. 

 They are protected by law, or usage ; and may be said to be completely domesticated, being as 

 common as the domestic poultry, and equally familiar. The inhabitants are disgusted with their 

 filthy, voracious habits ; but they have a respect paid to them, as scavengers whose labors are 

 subservient to the public good. " It sometimes happens," says AVilson, " that, after having gorged 

 themselves, these birds vomit down the chimneys, which must be intolerably disgusting, and must 

 provoke the ill-will of those whose hospitality is thus requited." 



These birds are indolent, and may be observed in companies, loitering for hours together in one 

 place. They do not associate with the turkey-buzzards, and are much darker in their plumage 

 than the latter. Their mode of flight also varies from that of the turkey-buzzard : the black vul- 

 ture flaps its wings five or six times rapidly, then sails with them extended nearly horizontally ; 

 the turkey-buzzard seldom flaps its wings, and, when sailing, they form an angle with the body 



