THE UEUBU. 



639 



may be seen almost in a domestic state, and multiplying under 

 the protection of the laws. In Peru the inhabitants are pro- 

 hibited from killing a Urubu under penalty of ten pounds. The 

 same prohibition exists in Jamaica. 



This will easily be understood when it is explained that in 

 these countries the Urubus perform the whole duty of cleansing 

 the public streets from all kinds of filth and garbage, which. 



Fig. 303.— Urubu3 (Ftiitwr atratus, Wita.). 



under the influence of an elevated temperature, would certainly 

 infect the air, and engender continual epidemics. These birds, 

 officiating as pubHc scavengers, preserve the general health, and 

 are therefore placed under the protection of the laws in spite of 

 their unpleasant aspect and their unclean odour. 



"The familiarity and tameness of the Urubus," says Alcide 

 D'Orbigny " are extreme. At the time of the distributions of meat 

 made to the Indians in the province of Mojos I have known them 

 snatch away the pieces as soon as the men had received them. At 



