BLACK VULTURE. L'atharista /OKU 



is drawn towards the bird, and is entirely invisible to those who are not intent upon 

 distinguishing the gnat-like object as it floats about in the upper air. 



Every one of these birds is, notwithstanding the enormous height at which it is poised, 

 intently watching the ground in hopes of marking out some dying animal on which it may 

 swoop, and hasten its death by the injuries which it inflicts upon the unresisting creature. 

 The movements of the hunters are carefully watched by the Black Vulture, which follows 

 their course with eagerness, knowing how often they may wound an animal which may be 

 able to escape them for a time, but is sure at last to fall a prey to its relentless winged 

 pursuer. Oftentimes the hunters will kill a bison or a deer merely for the sake of the 

 skin, the marrow-bones, or the hump, leaving the remainder on the ground for the benefit 

 of the Zopilotes and the wolves, who soon strip the bones of every particle of the flesh. 



According to Don Ulloa, the Zopilotes deserve the gratitude of mankind for the part 

 which they play in destroying the eggs of the alligator, and assisting in keeping down the 

 number of this prolific and dangerous reptile. During the summer, the Zopilote watches 

 the female alligator as she comes to the sandy river-shore for the purpose of depositing 

 her eggs, and permits the reptile to complete her task without any interruption. 

 Scarcely, however, is the alligator fairly out of the way, than the Zopilote issues from its 

 place of concealment, and throwing the sand aside with its bill, feet, and wings, disinters 

 the eggs, breaks the shells, and swallows their contents. 



Of the voracity of these birds, Wilson gives the following graphic account : 



" A horse had dropped down in the street in convulsions : and dying, it was dragged 

 out to Hampstead and skinned. The ground for a hundred yards around it was 



