14 



VULTURE. 



8— URUBU. 



Vultur Urubu, Vieillot Ois. Amer. 23. pi. 2. 



Vultur Atratus, Black Vulture, or Carrion Crow, Bartr. Tr. 150. 285. Amer. Orn. 



ix. 104. pi. 75. 2. 

 Vautour du Bresil, pi. cnl. 187. 

 L'Iribu, Foy.d'Azar.in, p. 20. 

 Catharte, Tern. Man. ed. 2, Anal. p. xlviii. 



THIS is smaller than the last — ^the length 25 in. breadth 4ft. 

 10 in. bill 2i in. long, and legs white; irides reddish hazel. The 

 head and neck are covered with a pale ash coloured down, mixed 

 with a few hairs, but not carunculated ; the plumage, plain bluish 

 grey, but in old birds nearly black, with some degree of gloss; 

 ^^ ings yellowish white beneath ; the tail shorter than in the last 

 described, and even at the end; the bill and legs are both rather 

 longer than in the Carrion Vulture. 



Inhabits the warmer parts of America, equally with the other, 

 and though certainly distinct, the hvo have been generally mistaken 

 for one and the same species — indeed, tlie manners do not essentially 

 differ, but the Urubu does not fly with the same ease as the Carrion 

 species ; it seems to labour more in flight, flapping the wings con- 

 siderably, then sails for a little way, but is soon obliged to flap the 

 ^^'ings again, as if recovering itself from falling. This species is 

 rarely seen north of Carolina, and said to build its nest on the rocks,* 

 laying t^vo sooty white eggs; is common in Georgia, with the former. 

 Mr. Abbot observes, that the two will by no means feed on each 

 other, for though they may be allured by the scent of a dead compa- 

 nion, and meet in nimibers on the spot, not one will attempt to eat it. 



* Or large trees in low wet swamps, and to go there every evening to roost. Amer. Orn. 



