CATALOGUE OF VERTEBRATES. 573 



SIALIA, Swains. ' 

 S. sialis, L. Bluebird. 



Bright blue above; throat and breast reddish brown; belly 

 white ; female duller, with a brownish tinge on back ; young are 

 usually spotted. Length, 6f inches ; tail, 3 inches. 



" The ' bluebird ' is much less migratory now than in the days 

 of Wilson and Audubon. They are frequently to be seen dur- 

 ing the depths of winter, flying from fence-post to post in the 

 country, and singing as cheerfully as in May. They build in 

 ' boxes '.or woodpeckers' nests, raising two broods." 



Order RAPTORES. 



Family CATHARTIDiE. 



(Vulturidee.) 

 Vultures. 



CATHARTES, 111. 

 O. aura, L. Turkey Buzzard, or Vulture. 



Head and part of neck bare ; bill lengthened, slender, slightly 

 hooked ; wings long and strong ; toes somewhat webbed ; claws 

 weak ; a tuft of bristles in front of eye ; plumage black, lustrous 

 above ; skin of head and neck red. Length, 30 inches ; tail, 12 

 inches ; wings, 2^ inches. Voracious scavengers, feeding on 

 carrion and animal refuse of all sorts. 



" From Trenton and from New Brunswick, southward, these 

 birds are more or less abundant, becoming more numerous as we 

 approach Delaware Bay and the ocean. Breeds mostly in Cape 

 May county, in unfrequented localities. The opinion entertained 

 by many that Iambs and poultry are attacked occasionally by 

 them is not unfounded." 



