274 



DIURNAL BIRDS OF PREY. 



any apparent movement of their well-shaped wings, makes them really attractive 

 objects to watch." Like all their kin, they are, however, essentially scavengers, 

 and when on the ground are by no means pleasing creatures. Dr. W. J. Ralph 

 writes that although carrion-eaters, they prefer fresh meat to that which is tainted, 

 but that being unable to kill game for themselves, while their weak bills are in- 

 capable of tearing open the skins of large animals, they have seldom an opportunity 

 of exercising their preference. " When they find a dead animal they will not leave 



A GROUP OP TURKEY- VULTURES (J nat. size). 



it until all (but the bones and other hard parts) has been consumed, and if it be a 

 large one, or if it have a tough skin, they will often remain near it for days, roosting 

 by night in the trees near by. After they have eaten— and sometimes they will 

 gorge themselves until the food runs out of their mouths when they move— they 

 will, if they are not too full to fly, roost in the nearest trees until their meal is 

 partly digested, and then commence eating again. Many times I have seen these 

 birds in company with the black vulture floating down 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." In spite of 



