SCAVENGERS 127 



these flights, they run and spring from the ground 

 with a quick bound, give a few flappings of their 

 wings, and shoot upward, for all the world like an 

 aeroplane. When they reach a high elevation, they 

 fly in wide circles and sail on almost horizontal 

 wings, with tips slightly raised. It is interesting 

 to note that they invariably navigate the air in 

 groups of ten to twenty, never singly. 



During the breeding season the turkey buzzards 

 select a hollow tree, stump, or log, usually on the 

 ground, or near it, and there, with no pretensions 

 of making a nest, they lay two or three eggs. Some- 

 times there are three or more nests close together. 

 This may be due to the desirability of the place 

 rather than to a community interest. In East 

 Texas there are places commonly referred to as 

 ^"buzzards' roosts," where great numbers congregate 

 throughout the entire year. The superstitious ne- 

 groes of the river bottoms have many strange and 

 interesting beliefs regarding these scavengers. If, 

 for any reason, a buzzards' roost is changed from a 

 certain locality, the negroes are much disturbed, 

 and in some instances even move away themselves, 

 as they think the vicinity is "hoodooed." It is a 

 common saying among them, "When de buzzard 

 moves, hit's time for de nigger to move, kase de 

 place is ha'nted." 



