THE CAEKIO^T VULTURE. 



31 



THE CARRION VULTURE. 



The length of this bird is about four feet and a half, and its general 

 weight between four and five pounds. The head is small, and covered 

 with a red skin, beset only with a few black bristles, which give -it a 

 distant resemblance to a turkey. The whole plumage is dusky, mixed 

 with purple and green. The legs are of a dirty flesh color, and the 

 claws black. 



In some of the countries bordering upon the torrid zone, these birds 

 haunt the villages and towns in immense multitudes. In Carthagena, 

 they may be seen sitting on the roofs of houses, or even stalking along 

 the streets. They are here of infinite service to the inhabitants, bv de- 



THE CARRIOJT VULTURE. 



vouring that filth which otherwise, by its intolerable stench, would ren- 

 der the climate still more unwholesome than it is. When they find no 

 food in the cities, they seek for it among the cattle of the adjoining pas- 

 tures. If any animal be unfortunate enough to have a sore on his 

 back, they instantly alight on it, and attack the part affected. The 

 unfortunate beast may in vaiu attempt to free itself from the gripe of 



