BLACK VULTURE. 43 



field. Their nests become so fetid, before the final departure of the young 

 birds, that a person forced to remain there half an hour would be in dan- 

 ger of suffocation. 



I have been frequently told, that the same pair will not abandon their 

 first nest or place of deposit, unless broken up during incubation. This 

 would attach to the vulture a constancy of affection that T cannot believe 

 exists ; as I do not think that pairing, in the manner described, is of any 

 longer duration than the necessitous call of nature for the one season ; 

 and again, were they so inclined, they would never congregate in the 

 manner they do, but would go in single pairs all their lives like eagles. 



Vultures do not possess, in any degree, the power of bearing off their 

 prey as falcons do, unless it be slender portions of entrails hanging by the 

 bill. When chased by others from a carcass, it even renders them very 

 awkward in their flight, and forces them to the earth again almost imme- 

 diately. 



Many persons in Europe believe that Buzzards prefer putrid flesh to 

 any other. This is a mistake. Any flesh that they can at once tear with 

 their very powerful bill in pieces, is swallowed, no matter how fresh. 

 What I have said of their kilUng and devouring young animals, affords 

 sufficient proofs of this ; but it frequently happens that these birds are 

 compelled to wait until the hide of their prey will yield to the bill. I have 

 seen a large dead alligator, surrounded by vultures and carrion crows, of 

 which neai'ly the whole of the fjesh was so completely decomposed before 

 these birds could perforate the tough skin of the monster, that, when at 

 last it took place, their disappointment was apparent, and the matter, in 

 an almost fluid state, abandoned by the vultures.'' 



The above account of my experiments was read on the 16th day of 

 December 1826, and was what I may call my " maiden speech." Well do 

 I remember the uneasy feelings which I experienced : the audience was 

 large, and composed of many of the most distinguished men of that en- 

 lightened country. My paper was a long one ; and it contradicted all for- 

 mer opinions on the subject under discussion ; yet the cheering appear- 

 ance of kindness which every where met my eye, as I occasionally glanced 

 around, gradually dispelled my uneasiness, and brought me to a state 

 of confidence. The reading of the paper being at length accomplished, 

 I was congratulated by the President, as well as by every member pre- 

 sent. Many (questions were put to me, all of which I answered as well as 



