BLACK VULTURE 



111 



attend the crocodiles and destroy the eggs which the females of 

 those dreadful amphibious animals leave in the sand to be hatch- 

 ed by the heat of the sun. The destruction of such a bird ought 

 to be prohibited under severe penalties."^ 



We are almost afraid of trespassing upon the patience of the 

 reader by the length of our quotations ; but as we are very anxi- 

 ous that the subject of this article should enjoy that right to which 

 it is fairly entitled, of being ranked as an independent species, we 

 are tempted to add one testimony more, which we find in the His- 

 tory of Ciiili, by the abbe Molina. 



" The jota (Vultur jota) resembles much the aura^ a species 

 of vulture, of which there is perhaps but one variety. It is dis- 

 tinguished, however, by the beak, which is grey with a black point. 

 Notwithstanding the size of this bird, which is nearly that of the 

 turkey, and its strong and crooked talons, it attacks no other, but 

 feeds principally upon carcasses and reptiles. It is extremely in- 

 dolent, and will frequently remain for a long time almost motion- 

 less, with its wings extended, sunning itself upon the rocks, or the 

 roofs of the houses. When in pain, which is the only time that 

 it is known to make any noise, it utters a sharp cry like that of a 

 rat ; and usually disgorges what it has eaten. The flesh of this 

 bird emits a fetid smell that is highly offensive. The manner in 

 which it builds its nest is perfectly correspondent to its natural 

 indolence ; it carelessly places between rocks, or even upon the 

 ground, a few dry leaves or feathers, upon which it lays two eggs 

 of a dirty white. "t 



The Black Vulture is twenty-six inches in length, and four 

 feet four inches in extent ; the bill is two inches and a half long, 

 of a dark horn color as far as near an inch, tlie remainder, the 

 head, and a part of the neck are covered with a black, wrinkled, 



* Clavigero's Mexico, translated by Cullen, vol, i, p. 47, London, 

 t Hist. Chili, Am. trans, i, p. 185. 



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