182 BIRDS 



iarity with man and are rightly regarded as pubhc bene- 

 factors." 



The black vulture, which we illustrate, is not as graceful 

 a bird when flying as is the turkey buzzard. The flight of 

 the latter birds is " exceedingly easy and graceful, while the 

 apparent absence of all effort, as they sail in stately manner 

 overhead, in ever-changing circles, and without any appar- 

 ent movement of their well-shaped wings, makes them really 

 attractive objects to watch." The flight of the black vulture 

 is much more heavy and laborious and is accomplished by 

 frequent flapping of the wings. It is a stronger and heavier 

 bird than the buzzard, and when the two dispute over food 

 it is invariably the victor. 



It is said that in many southern cities the black vultures 

 may be seen in numbers "walking the streets with all the 

 familiarity of domestic fowls, examining the channels and 

 accumulations of filth in order to glean the offal or animal 

 matter of any kind which may happen to be thrown out." 



The black vultures are gregarious and frequently breed 

 in small communities. They make no attempt to build a 

 home, but lay their eggs upon the ground in slight depres- 

 sions, which are lined only by the vegetation which has 

 naturally fallen on the spot. 



SWALLOW-TAILED KITE 



The wing development of the Swallow-tailed Kite and 

 the Everglade kite is remarkable. Like the frigate bird 

 and swifts, the wings extend far beyond the tail. The Mis- 

 sissippi and white-tailed kites, the two other American 

 forms, have less wing development, and their flight is more 



