I 36 BLACK VULTURE. 
was distinctly specified as a different species from the pre- 
ceding, yet it excites our surprise that the ornithologists should 
have persisted in confounding it with the turkey buzzard ; an 
error which can hardly admit of extenuation when it is con- 
sidered what a respectable authority they had for a different 
opinion. 
The habits of this species are singular. In the towns and 
villages of the southern States, particularly Charleston and 
Georgetown, South Carolina, and in Savannah, Georgia, the 
carrion crows may be seen either sauntering about the streets, 
sunning themselves on the roofs of the houses and the fences, 
or, if the feather be cold, cowering along the tops of the 
chimneys, to enjoy the benefit of the heat, which to them is a 
peculiar gratification. They are protected by a law or usage, 
and may be said to be completely domesticated, being as com- 
mon as the domestic poultry, and equally familiar. The in- 
habitants 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 
putrify during the hot season, would render the atmosphere im- 
pure, they have a respect paid them as scavengers, whose labours 
are subservient to the public good. It sometimes happens 
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 
companies 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 
because there is no evidence to prove that it is the turkey buzzard of 
North America.” Neither is there present proof that it is not, therefore 
we retain Bonaparte’s name,—ED. 


