AVES—VULTURE. 425 
THE BLACK VULTURE! 

Tuts bird has sometimes been confounded with the turkey buz ard. But 
they are much darker in their plumage than the latter, and neve: associate 
with them. Their mode of flight also differ from that of the turkey buz- 
zard. The latter, though found in the vicinity of towns, rarely ventures 
within them. It is not so impatient of cold as the former, and is likewise 
less lazy. Unless pressed by hunger, it will not eat of a carcass until it 
becomes putrid. The black vulture is not so fastidious, but devours animal 
food without distinction. They are very indolent, and may be seen loitering 
for hours together inone place. It is said that they sometimes attack young 
pigs, and eat off their ears and tails; but those instances are rare. 
In,the towns and villages of the southern states, they may be seen saunter- 
ing about the streets; sunning themselves on the roofs of the houses and 
the fences; or, if the weather be cold, cowering around the tops of the 
chimneys to enjoy the benefit of the heat, which to them is a peculiar grati- 
fication. They are protected by law orusage; and may be said to be com- 
pletely domesticated, being as common as the domestic poultry, and equally 
familiar. The inhabitants generally are disgusted with their filthy habits ; 
but notwithstanding, being viewed as contributing to the removal of the 
dead animal matter, which, if permitted to putrefy during the hot season, 
would render the atmosphere impure, they have a respect paid thein as sca- 
vengers, whose labors are subservient to the public good. It sometimes 
happens that after having gorged themselves, these birds vomit down the 
chimneys, which must be intolerably disgusting, and must provoke the ill- 
will of those whose hospitality is thus requited. 


1 Cathartes Vulturinus, Tamm. 
54 
