4g BLACK VULTURE. 



when hunting wild turkeys by moonlight, mistaking them for these latter 

 birds. 



In Mississippi, Louisiana, Georgia, and Carolina, they prepare to breed 

 early in the month of February, in common with most of the genus Falco. 

 The most remarkable habit attached to their life is now to be seen : they 

 assemble in parties of eight or ten, sometimes more, on large fallen logs, 

 males and females, exhibiting the strongest desire to please mutually, and 

 forming attachments in the choice of a mate, when each male, after many 

 caresses, leads his partner off on the wing from the group, neither to mix 

 nor associate with any more, until their offspring are well able to follow 

 them in the air ; after which, and until incubation takes place (about two 

 weeks), they are seen sailing side by side the whole day. \ 



These birds form no nest, yet are very choice respecting tke place of 

 deposite for their two eggs. Deep in the swamps, but always above the 

 line of overflowing water-mark, a large hollow tree is sought, eitWtr stand- 

 ing or fallen, and the eggs are dropped on the mouldering parfccles in- 

 side, sometimes immediately near the entrance, at other times as much as 

 twenty feet within. Both birds alternately incubate, and each feeds the 

 other, by disgorging tlie contents of the stomach, or part of theoij im- 

 mediately before the bird that is sitting. Thirty-two days are restjuired 

 to bring forth the young from the shell ; a thick down covers them com- 

 pletely ; the parents, at that early period, and indeed for nearly two 

 weeks, feed them by disgorging food considerably digested from their 

 bills, in the manner of the common pigeons. The down acquires length, 

 becomes thinner, and of a darker tint as the bird grows older. The 

 young vultures, at three weeks, are large for their age, weighing then 

 upwards of a pound, but extremely clumsy and inactive ; unable to keep 

 up their wings, then partly covered by large pin feathers, dragging them 

 almost upon the ground, and bearing their whole weight on the full 

 length of their legs and feet. 



If approached at that time by a stranger or enemy, they hiss with a 

 noise resembling that made by a strangling cat or fox, swell themselves, 

 and hop sideways as fast as in their power. The parents, while sitting, 

 and equally disturbed, act in the same manner ; fly only a very short 

 distance, waiting there the departure of the offender, to resume their duty. 

 As the young grow larger, the parents simply throw their food before 

 them ; and, with all their exertions, seldom bring their offspring fat to the 



