110 



BLACK VULTURE 



though very improperly, by that of Ravens. There are two very 

 different species of these birds ; the one, the Zopilot, properly so 

 called, the other called the Cozcaquauhtli : they are both bigger 

 than the Raven. These two species resemble each other in their 

 hooked bill and crooked claws, and by having upon their head 

 instead of feathers, a wrinkled membrane with some curling hairs. 

 They fly so high, that although they are pretty large, they are 

 lost to the sight ; and especially before a hail storm they will be 

 seen wheeling, in vast numbers, under the loftiest clouds, till they 

 entirely disappear. They feed upon carrion, which they discover 

 by the acuteness of their sight and smell, from the greatest height, 

 and descend upon it with a majestic flight, in a great spiral course. 

 They are both almost mute. The two species are distinguished, 

 however, by their size, their color, their numbers, and some other 

 peculiarities. The Zopilots, properly so called, have black fea- 

 thers, with a brown head, bill and feet ; they go often in flocks, 

 and roost together upon trees. This species is very numerous, 

 and is to be found in all the different climates; while on the con- 

 trary, the Cozcaquauhtli is far from numerous, and is peculiar to 

 the warmer climates alone.^ The latter bird is larger than the 

 Zopilot, has a red head and feet, with a beak of a deep red color, 

 except towards its extremity, which is white. Its feathers are 

 brown, except upon the neck and parts about the breast, which 

 are of a reddish black. The wings are of an ash color upon the 

 inside, and upon the outside are variegated with black and tawny. 



" The Cozcaquauhtli is called by the Mexicans, king of the 

 Zopilots ;^ and they say, that when these two species happen to 

 meet together about the same carrion, the Zopilot never begins to 

 eat till the Cozcaquauhtli has tasted it. The Zopilot is a most 

 useful bird to that country, for they not only clear the fields, but 



* This is a mistake. 



f This is the Vultur aura. The hird which now goes hy the name of King of the Zopilots, in 

 New Spain, is the Vultur papa of Linnteiis. 



