424 AVES—TURKEY BUZZARD. 
This bird is about the size of a turkey. The head and neck are bare of 
feathers, and of a reddish color, and the sides of the head warted like those 
of the turkey. The whole plumage is a brownish black, with a purple and 
greenish gloss in different directions. 
This species is well known throughout the United States, but is most 
numerous in the southern section of the Union. In the northern and mid- 
dle states, it is partially migratory, the greater part retiring to the south on 
the approach of cold weather. But numbers remain all the winter in Mary- 
land, Delaware, and New Jersey ; particularly in the vicinity of the large 
rivers and the ocean, which afford a supply of food at all seasons. The 
female lays from two to four eggs in an old hollow tree or stump. If any 
one approach the young, and attempt to handle them, they will immedi- 
ately vomit such offensive matter as to compel the intruder to a precipitate 
retreat. 
The turkey buzzards are gregarious, peaceable, and harmless; never offer- 
ing any violence to a living animal, nor depriving the husbandman of his 
stock. Hence, though in consequence of their filthy habits they are not be- 
loved, yet they are respected for their usefulness ; and in the southern states 
where they are most needed, they, as well as the black vultures, are protected 
by a law, which imposes a fine on those who wilfully deprive them of life. 
They generally roost in flocks on the limbs of large trees; and they may be 
seen on a summer’s morning, spreading out their wings to the rising sun, 
and remaining in that posture for a considerable time. 
The sense of smell in the turkey buzzard is astonishingly exquisite, and 
they never fail to discover carrion, even when at the distance of several 
miles. When once they have found a carcass, if not molested, they will 
remain in the place till the whole is devoured. At such times, they eat so 
immoderately that frequently they are incapable of rising, and may be caught 
without difficulty ; but few that are acquainted with them, will have the 
temerity to undertake the task. A man in the state of Delaware some years 
since, observing some turkey buzzards regaling themselves upon the carcass 
of a horse, which was ina highly putrid state, conceived the design of 
making a captive of one, to take home for the amusement of his children. 
He cautiously approached, and springing upon the unsuspecting group, 
grasped a fine plump fellow in his arms, and was bearing off his prize in 
triumph; when lo! the indignant vulture disgorged such a torrent of filth in 
the face of our hero, that it produced all the effects of the most powerful 
emetic, and forever cured him of his inclination for turkey buzzards. 
On tne continent of America this species inhabits a vast range of territory, 
running it 1s said from Nova Scotia to Terra del Fuego, though it is com- 
paratively rare in the northern states of the Union. They are numerals m 
the West India islands. 
