670 BLACK VULTURE. 
of the bird, but usually of a brownish black. ‘The bill is well propor- 
tioned, strong, and a littlehooked. These birds are familiar in Cartha- 
gena; the tops of the houses are covered with them; it is they which 
cleanse the city of all its animal impurities. There are few animals 
killed whereof they do not obtain the offals; and when this food is’ 
wanting, they have recourse to other filth, Their sense of smelling 
is so acute, that it enables them to trace carrion at the distance of 
three or four leagues, which they do not abandon until there remains 
nothing but the skeleton. . 
“The great number of these birds found in such hot climates is an 
excellent provision of nature; as, otherwise, the putrefaction caused 
by the constant and excessiveheat would render the air insupportable 
to human life. When first they take wing, they fly heavily ; but after- 
wards, they rise so high as to be entirely invisible. On the ground, 
they walk sluggishly. Their legs are well proportioned; they have 
three toes forward, turning inwards, and one on the inside, inclining a 
little backwards, so that, the feet interfering, they cannot walk with 
any agility, but are obliged to hop: each toe is furnished with a long 
and. stout claw. : : 
“ When the Gallinazos are deprived of carrion, or food in the city, 
‘they are driven by hunger among the cattle of the pastures. If they 
see,a beast with a sore on the back, they alight on it, and attack the 
part affected; and it avails not that the poor animal throws itself wpon 
the ground, and. endeavors to intimidate them by its bellowing: they 
do not quit their hold! and, by means of their bill, they so soon enlarge 
the wound, that the animal finally becomes their prey.” * 
The account, from the same author, of the beneficial effects result- 
ing from the fondness of the Vultures for the eggs of the alligator, 
merits attention : — s 
“The Gallinazos are the most inveterate enemies of the alligators, 
or rather they are extremely fond of their eggs, and employ much 
stratagem 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 alli- 
gator; 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. fortu- 
nate 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 ray- 
* Voyave Historique de L’ Amerique Meridionale, por Don George Juan et Don 
Antoine de Ulloa, liv. 1. chap. viii. p. 52. A Amsterdam et a Leipzig, 1752, 410. 
