of the ^^ Birds of America.'*^ 23 



to satisfy us on this head, and all led to the same result. 

 A few of these I shall proceed to detail. 



1. A dead hare, (^Lejpm timidusj Lin.) a pheasant; 

 (Phasianus Colchicus ,Ijij^ .) a kestrel, (Faico tinnunculusy 

 Lin.) from a recent importation, together with a wheelhar- 

 row full of ofFal from the slaughter-pens, were deposited on 

 the ground in a retired situation at the foot of my gajden. 

 A frame was raised above It at the distance of twelve 

 inches from the earth. This was covered with brush 

 wood, allowing the ah- to pass freely beneath it, so as to 

 convey the effluvium far and wide, and although fifteen 

 days have now gone by, and the flesh has become offen- 

 sive, not a single vulture appears to have observed it, 

 though hundreds have passed over it, and some very near 

 it, in search of their daily food. Although the vultures 

 did not discover this dainty mess, the dogs in the vicinity, 

 w^ho appeared to have better olfactory organs, frequently 

 visited the place, and gave us much trouble in the prose- 

 cution of our experiments, 



2. I now suggested an experiment which would enable 

 us to test the inquu-y : whether the \ailture could be 

 attracted to an object by the sight alone ? A course 

 painting on canvass was made, representing a sheep skin- 

 ned and cut open. This proved very amusing ; no sooner 

 was this picture placed on the ground than the vultures 

 observed it, alighted near, walked over it, and some of 

 them commenced tugging at the painting* They seemed 

 much disappointed and surprised, and after having satisfied 

 their curiosity, flew away. 



This experiment was repeated more than fifty times 

 with the same result. The painting was then placed 

 within ten feet of the place where our offal was deposited. 

 They came as usual, walked around it, but in no Instance 

 evinced the slightest symptom of their having scented 

 the offal which was so near them. 



