84 cassell's book of birds. 



which was in a highly putrid state, conceived the design of making a captive of one, to take home for 

 the amusement of his children. He cautiously approached, and springing upon the unsuspicious 

 group, grasped a fine plump fellow in his arms, and was bearing off his prize in triumph ; when, lo ! 

 the indignant Vulture disgorged such a torrent of filth in the face of our hero, that it produced all the 

 effects of the most powerful emetic, and for ever cured him of his inclination for Turkey Buzzards." 



On the continent of America, this species inhabits a vast range of territory, being common, it 

 is said, from Nova Scotia to Terra del Fuego. How far to the northward of North California 

 they are found, we are not informed, but it is probable that they extend their migrations to the 

 Columbia, allured thither by the quantity of dead salmon which, at certain seasons, cover the shores 

 of that river. 



Mr. Darwin, who observed this bird in New Jersey, states " that the Turkey Buzzard is a 

 solitary bird, or at most goes in pairs. It may at once be recognised from a long distance by its 

 lofty, soaring, and most elegant flight. It is well known to be a true carrion feeder. On the west 

 coast of Patagonia, among the thickly wooded islets and broken land, it lives exclusively on what the 

 sea throws up, and on the carcases of dead seals ; and wherever these animals are congregated on 

 the rocks, there the Vultures may be seen." 



The Gallinazoes are extremely active ; they fly lightly, and can rise with ease to a considerable 

 height in the air; when perched they usually draw their head down between their shoulders, and 

 allow their plumage to hang loosely about their bodies ; but when upon the ground they hold them- 

 selves erect, and walk with very much the same air as a Turkey-cock. AVe learn from Audubon, 

 who made a variety of experiments on this subject (see Introductory Chapter), that these Vultures 

 discover their food by sight alone, and are almost or entirely without the sense of smell. Many 

 writers have maintained that they subsist altogether upon garbage and carrion, but both Audubon and 

 Humboldt concur in the statement that they will occasionally kill their own prey. The latter 

 describes the manner in which they seize young crocodiles, about seven or eight inches in length, 

 either upon the land or in shallow water ; and tells us that the small reptile endeavours to confront 

 its foe by rising on its fore-feet, stretching up its head, and literally grinning defiance through its 

 long sharp teeth. It not unfrequently happens that, while thus engaged in keeping one of its 

 feathered enemies at bay, the spirited little creature is snapped up by an Urubu, who has come up 

 quietly and unobserved to watch the encounter. Large numbers of eggs are also devoured by the 

 American Vultures, who frequently build their eyries in the immediate vicinity of the nests of Wading 

 o*r Swimming Birds for the express purpose of thus obtaining a constant supply of food for their 

 young. Most naturalists are now agreed that both the Gallinazo and Urubu lay their eggs in clefts of 

 the rock, holes in the ground, or in hollow trees, as such spots afford the best protection against the 

 inclemency of the weather. In Texas and Mexico they usually select a hillock near marshy ground, 

 and merely scratch a hole beneath a bush wherein to lay the two eggs of which a brood consists. 

 Both parents sit alternately for thirty-two days, and feed each other from the crop during that period. 

 These birds are easily tamed, and when in a state of domesticity exhibit towards their master all the 

 fidelity of a dog. 



THE OWLS. 



The Owls (Strigina) constitute the last division of the extensive order RAPTORES to which we 

 have to call the attention of our readers. These remarkable birds possess an apparently heavy, but, in 

 reality, slender and by no means muscular body, and a large, broad, thickly-plumaged head. Their 

 short, very decidedly arched beak terminates in a hook, and is partially covered by a cere, which 



