RAPTORES. 87 



Order RAPTORES. Birds of Prey, 



Suborder SARCORHAMPHI. American Vultures. 



Family Cathartid^. American Vultures. 



120. (325.) Cathartes aura (Linn.). 177 

 Turkey Vulture. 



Synonyms: Vultur aura, Rhinogryphus aura. 



Turkey Buzzard. 

 Wilson, Am. Orn., IV, 1812, 89. 



The Turkey Vulture is fairly common during- the summer 

 throughout the state, even to the lake shore, the books upon 

 birds to the contrary notwithstanding. During my resi- 

 dence at Oberlin, beginning in 1890, it has been almost com- 

 mon, nesting in fallen hollow logs or hollow stumps. It re- 

 mains all winter in the southern parts of the state, but is ab- 

 sent in winter north. I have found it as early as the 7th of 

 March at Oberlin. 



Its habit of feeding on carrion is well known. 



If the birds are too far away for one to see the bare head, 

 the soaring flight without any flapping of the wings, or 

 only an occasional stroke to regain balance, readily identi- 

 fies the species. The hawks "soar, it is true, but they also flap 

 their wings a good deal, or soar in circles, while the vulture 

 soars almost straightaway, without wing strokes. 



121. (326.) Catharista urubu (Vieill.). 178. 

 Black Vulture. 



Snyonyms: Carthates atratus, C. iota, Catharista atrata, Vul- 

 tur atratus. 

 Carrion Crow. 

 Audubon, Orn. Biog., II, 1834, 33. 



The foregoing reference by Audubon that this species 

 summers in Ohio as far as Cincinnati ; three specimens seen 

 by Dr. Langdon, "On or about December 20, 1876," one of 

 which he secured on January 1, 1877, it having been killed 

 a few days previous by Mr. Edwin Leonard, of Madison- 

 ville ; and a specimen in Mr. Oliver Davie's collection, killed 



