104 



BLACK VULTURE, OR CARRION-CROW. 

 VULTUR ATBATUS. 

 [Plate LXXV.— Fig. 2.] 



Bart»am, 11. 289 — -Gallina^o, Ulloa, Voy, I, jj. 52 ZopiloU Ciavigero, Hist. Mex. vol. I, 'p. 47. 



— Vulturjota, Molina, Hist. Chilis 1, jj. 185.— I*eale's Museum, Js'o. 13. 



ALTHO an account of this Vulture was published more than 

 twenty years ago, by Mr. William Bartram, wherein it was dis- 

 tinctly specified as a dlflFerent species from the preceding, 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 considered what a respecta- 

 ble 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 George- 

 town, South Carolina, and in Savannah, Georgia, the Carrion-crows 

 may be seen either sauntering about the streets ; sunning them- 

 selves on the roofs of the houses, and the fences ; or, if the wea- 

 ther be cold, cowering around 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 common as the domestic poul- 

 try, and equally familiar. The inhabitants genei-ally 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 scaven- 

 gers, whose labors are subservient to the public good. It some- 

 times happens that, after having gorged themselves, these birds 



