TURKEY VULTURE. 



97 



the great end ; the form something like the egg of a Goose, but 

 blunter at the small end; length two inches and three quarters, 

 breadth two inches. The male watches often while the female is 

 sitting ; and if not disturbed they will occupy the same breeding 

 place for several years. The young are clothed with a whitish 

 down, similar to that which covers young goslings. If any per- 

 son approach the nest and attempt to handle them, they will im- 

 mediately vomit such offensive matter, as to compel the intruder 

 to a precipitate retreatr 



The Turkey-buzzards are gregarious, peaceable and harm- 

 less : never offering any violence to a living animal, or, like the 

 plunderers of the Falco tribe, depriving the husbandman of his 

 stock. Hence, though in consequence of their filthy habits they 

 are not beloved, yet they are respected for their usefulness ; and 

 in the southern states, where they are most needed, they, as well 

 as the Black Vultures, are protected by a law, which imposes a 

 fine on those who wilfully deprive them of life. They generally 

 roost in flocks, on the limbs of large trees; and they may be seen 

 on a summer's morning, spreading out their wings to the rising 

 sun, and remaining in that posture for a considerable time. Pen- 

 nant conjectures that this is " to purify their bodies, which are 

 most offensively fetid." But is it reasonable to suppose that that 

 effluvia can be offensive to them, which arises from food perfectly 

 adapted to their nature, and which is constantly the object of their 

 desires ? Many birds, and particularly those of the granivorous 

 kind, have a similar habit, which doubtless is attended with the 

 same exhilarating effects, that an exposure to the pure air of the 

 morning has on the frame of one just risen from repose. 



These birds, unless when rising from the earth, seldom flap 

 their wings, but sweep along in ogees, and dipping and rising 

 lines, and move with great rapidity. They are often seen in com- 

 panies, soaring at an immense height, particularly previous to a 

 thunderstorm. Their wings are not spread horizontally, but form 



VOL. IX. B b 



