668 BLACK VULTURE. 
and may be said to be completely domesticated, being as common as 
the domestic poultry, and equally familiar. The inhabitants generally 
are disgusted with their filthy, voracious habits; but, notwithstanding, — 
being viewed as contributive to the removal of the dead animal matter, 
which, if permitted to putrefy during the hot season, would render the 
atmosphere impure, they have a respect paid them as scavengers, 
whose labors are subservient. to the public good. It sometimes hap- 
pens that, after having gorged themselves, these. birds vomit down the 
chimneys, which must be intolerably disgusting, and must provoke the 
ill will of those whose hospitality is thus requited. } 
The Black Vultures are indolent, and may be observed in compa- 
nies, loitering for hours together in one place. They do not associate 
with the Turkey Buzzards; and are much darker in their plumage 
than the latter. Their mode of flight also varies from that of the 
Turkey Buzzard: the Black Vulture flaps its wings five or six times 
rapidly, then sails with them extended nearly horizontally ; the Turkey 
Buzzard seldom flaps its wings, and, when sailing, they form an angle 
with the body upwards. The latter, though found in the vicinity of 
towns, rarely ventures within them, and then always appearing cau- 
tious of the near approach of any one. It is not so impatient of cold 
as the former, and is likewise less lazy. The Black Vulture, on the 
ground, hops along very awkwardly; the Turkey Buzzard, though 
seemingly inactive, moves with an even gait. The latter, unless 
pressed by hunger, will not eat of a carcass until it becomes putrid ; 
the former is not so fastidious, but devours animal food without dis- , 
tinetion. ; F ; 
It is said that the Black Vultures sometimes attack young pigs, and 
eat off their ears and tails, and we have even heard stories of their as- 
saulting feeble calves, and picking out their eyes. But these instances 
are rare: if otherwise, they would not receive that countenance or 
protection which is so universally extended to them in the states of 
South Carolina and Georgia, where they abound. : 
“This undescribed species,” says Mr. Bartram, “is a native of the 
maritime parts of Georgia and of the Floridas, where they are called 
Carrion Crows. They flock together, and feed upon carrion, but do 
not mix with the Turkey Buzzard, (Vultur aura.) Their wings are 
broad, and round at their extremities; their tail, which they spread 
like a fan when on the wing, is remarkably short. They have a.heavy, 
laborious flight, flapping their wings, and sailing alternately. The 
whole plumage is of a sable or mourning color.” * 
In one of Mr. Wilson’s journals, I find an interesting detail of the 
greedy and disgusting habits of this species; and shall give the pas- 
sage entire, in the same unadorned manner in which it is written: — 
“ February 21, 1809. — Went out to Hampstead this forenoon. A 
horse had dropped down in the street, in convulsions; and dying, it 
was dragged out to Hampstead, and skinned. The ground, for a hun- 
dred yards around it, was black with Carrion Crows; many sat on the 
tops of sheds, fences, and houses within sight; sixty or e ghty on the 
opposite side of a small run. J counted, at one time, twc wndred and 
* MS. in the possession of Mr. Ord. ‘ 
+ Near Charleston, South Carolina. 
