TURKEY VULTURE. 663 
they are respected for their usefulness; and in the Southern States, 
where they are most needed, they, as well as the Black Vultures, are 
protected by a law which imposes a fine on those who wilfully deprive 
them of life. They generally roost in flocks, on the limbs of large 
trees; and they may be seen ona summer morning, spreading out 
their wings to the rising sun, and remaining in that posture for a con- 
siderable time. Pennant conjectures, that this is “to purify their 
bodies, which are most offensively fetid.” But is it reasonable to sup- 
pose, that that effluvia can be offensive to them, which arises from 
Zood perfectly adapted to their nature, and which is constantly the 
object of their desires? Many birds, and particularly those of the gra- 
nivorous kind, have a similar habit, which doubtless is attended with 
the same exhilarating effects, as an exposure to the pure air of the 
morning has on the frame of one just risen from repose. 
These birds, unless when rising from the earth, seldom flap their 
wings, but sweep along in ogees, and dipping and rising lines, and 
move with great rapidity. They are often seen in companies, soaring 
at an immense height, particularly previons to a thunder-storm. Their 
wings are not spread horizontally, but form a slight angle with the 
body upwards, the tips having an upward curve. Their sense of 
smelling is astonishingly exquisite, and they never fail to discover 
carrion, even when at the distance of several rniles from it. When 
once they have found a carcass, if not molested, they will not leave 
the place until the whole is devoured. At such times they eat so im- 
moderately, that frequently they are incapable of rising, and may be 
caught without much difficulty; but few that are acquainted with 
them will have the temerity to undertake the task. A man in the 
state of Delaware, a few years since, observing some Turkey Buz- 
zards regaling themselves upon the carcass of a-horse 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 forever 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.j How far to the northward of North California{ they are 
found, we are not informed ; but it is probable that they extend their 
~ In the Northern States of our Union, the Turkey Buzzard is only occasionally 
seen. It is considered a rare bird by the inhabitants. 
+ “Great numbers of a species of Vulture, commonly called Carrion Crow 
by the sailors, ( Vultwr aura,) were seen upon this island, (New-Year’s Island, near 
Cape Horn, lat. 55 8. 67 W.) and probably feed on young seal cubs, which either 
die in the birth, or which they take an opportunity to seize upon.” Cook calls 
them Turkey Buzzards. —Forster's Voyage, ii. p. 516, to. London, 1777. — We 
strongly bap ee that the sailors were correct, and that these were Black Vultures, 
or Carrion Crows. 
¢ Perouse saw abird, which he calls the Black Vulture, probably the Vultur 
aura, at Monteray Bay, North California. — Voyave, ii. p. 203. ; 
