i^t C A R R I O N V U L T U R E. 



which are moft offenfively fetid. Towards morning they take flight,, 

 foaring at a vaft height, with the gentle motion of a kite ; expefting 

 notice of their banquet by the tainted effluvia of carrion, excrements, 

 or any filth. They have moft fagacious noftrils, and fmell their prey 

 at a vaft diftance ; to which they refort from all quarters, wheeling 

 about, and nvaking a gradual defcent till they reach the ground. 

 They do not confine themfelves to dead animals, but feed on Snakes, 

 and fometimes on Lambs. They are very tame^and,.whiic they are at 

 their meals, will fufFer a very near approach. 



In the torrid zone, particularly about Carthagena, they haunt in- 

 habited places, and are feen in numbers fitting on the roofs of the- 

 houfes, or walking along the ftreets with a fluggifh pace. In thofe- 

 parts they are ufeful, as the Ibis in Egypt y, devouring the noifome 

 fubjedls, which would orherwife, by the intolerable ftench, render the. 

 climate ftill more unwholefome than it is. 



When thefe birds find no food in the cities, they are driven by 

 hunger among the cattle of the neighboring paftures. If they fee- 

 a beaft with a fore on the back, they inftantly alight on it, and at- 

 tack the part affefted. The poor animal attempts in vain to free 

 itfelffrom the devourers, rolling on the ground with hideous cries: 

 but in vain ; for the Vultures never quit hold, till they have effeiled 

 its deftruftion. Sometimes an Eagle prefides at the banquet, and 

 keeps thefe cowardly birds at. a diftance, until it has finifiied its re- 

 paft. 

 UsEs^ Mifchievous as they are in a few inftances, yet, by the wife and 



beneficent difpenfations of Providence, they make in the -hot climates 

 full recompence, by leffening the number of thofe deftruftive anir 

 rnals the Alligators, which would otherwife become intolerable, by 

 their multitudes. During the feafon in which thefe reptiles lay 

 their eggs in the fand, the Vultures will fit hid in the leaves of the 

 trees, watching the coming of the female Alligator to depofit its 

 eggs, who- then covers them with fand, to fecure them, as fhe ima- 

 gines, from all danger: but no fooner does fhe retire into the water, 



thaa. 



