20 BLACK VULTURE. 



\ 

 from the fondness of the vultures for the eggs of the alligator, merits 

 attention. 



" The Gallinazos are the most inveterate enemies of the alligators, or 

 rather they are extremely fond of their eggs ; and employ much strata- 

 gem to obtain them. During the summer, these birds make it their 

 business to watch the female alligators ; for it is in that season that they 

 deposit their eggs in the sand of the shores of the rivers, which are not 

 then overflowed. The Gallinazo conceals itself among the branches and 

 leaves of a tree, so as to be unperceived by the alligator, and permits 

 the eggs quietly to be laid, not even interrupting the precautions that 

 she takes to conceal them. But she is no sooner under the water, than 

 the Gallinazo darts upon the nest ; and with its bill, claws, and wings, 

 uncovers the eggs, and gobbles them down, leaving nothing but the 

 shells. This banquet would indeed richly reward its patience, did not a 

 multitude of Gallinazos join the fortunate discoverer, and share in the 

 spoil. 



"How admirable the wisdom of that Providence, which hath given to 

 the male alligator an inclination to devour its own offspring ; and to the 

 Gallinazo a taste for the eggs of the female ! Indeed neither the rivers, 

 nor the neighboring fields, would otherwise be sufficient to contain the 

 multitudes that are hatched ; for notwithstanding the ravages of both 

 these insatiable enemies, one can hardly imagine the numbers that 

 remain."* ' 



The Abb^ Clavigero, in his History of Mexico, has clearly indicated 

 the present species, as distinguished from the Turkey-buzzard. 



" The business of clearing the fields of Mexico, is reserved princi- 

 pally for the Zopilots, known in South America by the name of Galli- 

 nazzi ; in other places, by that of Aure ; and in some places, though 

 very improperly, by that of Ravens. There are two very different spe- 

 cies of these birds ; the one, ,the Zopilot, properly so called, the other 

 called the Cozcaquauhtli : they are both bigger than the Raven. These 

 two species resemble each other in their hooked bill and'crooked claws, 

 and by having upon their head, instead of feathers, a wrinkled membrane, 

 with some curling hairs. They fly so high, that although they are 

 pretty large, they are lost to the sight ; and especially before a hail 

 storm they will be seen wheeling, in vast numbers under the loftiest 

 clouds, till they entirely disappear. They feed upon carrion, which they 

 discover by the acuteness of their sight and smell, from the greatest 

 height, and descend upon it with a majestic flight, in a great spiral 

 course. They are both almost mute. The two species are distinguished, 

 however, by their size, their color, their numbers, and some other pecu- 

 liarities. The Zopilots, properly so called, have black feathers, with a 



* Liy. iv., chap, ir., p. 172. 



