672 » BLACK VULTURE. 
“The Jota (Fultur jota) resembles much the aura, a species of 
Vulture, of which there is, perhaps, but one variety. It is distin- 
guished, however, by the beak, which is gray, with a black point. 
Notwithstanding the size of this bird, which is nearly that of the 
Turkey, and its strong and crooked talons, it attacks no other, but 
feeds principally upon carcasses and reptiles. It is extremely indo- 
lent, and will frequently remain, for a long time, almost motionless, 
with its wings extended, sunning itself upon the rocks, or the rcofs of 
the houses. When in pain, which is the only time that it is known to 
make any noise, it utters a sharp cry like that of a rat; and usually 
disgorges what it has eaten, The flesh of this bird emits a fetid smell 
that is highly offensive. The manner in which it builds its nest, is 
perfectly correspondent to its natural indolence; it carelessly places 
between rocks, or even upon the ground, a few dry leaves or feathers, 
upon which it lays two eggs of a dirty white.” * 
The Black Vulture is twenty-six inches in length, and four feet four 
inches in extent; the bill is two inches and a half long, ofa dark horn 
color as far as near an inch; the remainder, the head, and a part of 
the neck, are covered with a black, wrinkled, caruncled skin, beset 
with short black hairs, and downy behind; nostril, an oblong slit; 
irides, reddish hazel; the throat is dashed with yellow ochre; the 
general color of the plumage is of a dull black, except the primaries, 
which are whitish on the inside, and have four of their broadened 
edges below of a drab, or dark cream color, extending two inches, 
which is seen only when the wing is unfolded; the shafts of the 
feathers white on both sides; the rest of the wing-feathers, dark on 
both sides; the wings, when folded, are about the length of the tail, 
the fifth feather being the longest; the secondaries are two inches 
shorter than the tail, which is slightly forked; the exterior feathers, 
three quarters of an inch longer than the rest; the legs are limy, three 
inches and a half in length, and, with the feet, are thick and strong ; 
the middle toe is four inches long, side toes, two inches, and consider- 
ably webbed, inner toe, rather the shortest; claws, strong, but not 
sharp, like those of the Falco genus ; middle claw, three quarters of an 
inch long; the stomach is not lined with hair, as reported. When 
opened, this bird smells strongly of musk. 
Mr. Abbott informs me, that the Carrion Crow builds its nest in the 
large trees of the low, wet swamps, to which places they retire every 
evening to roost. “They frequent,” says he, “that part of the town 
of Savannah where the hog-butchers reside, and walk about the streets, 
in great numbers, like domestic fowls. It is diverting to see, when the 
entrails and offals of the hogs are thrown to them, with what greediness 
they scramble for the food, ‘seizing upon it, and pulling one against 
another, until the strongest prevails. The Turkey Buzzard is accused 
of killing young lambs and pigs, by picking out their eyes; but I 
believe that the Carrion Crow is not guilty of the like practices. The 
two species do not associate.” 
* Hist. Chili, Am. ‘Trans. i. p. 185. 
