16 
BLACK VULTURE. 
Israelites were interdicted eating * We presume tliat tliis prohibition 
was religiously observed, so far at least as it related to the whole family 
of the Vultures, from whose flesh there arises such an unsavory odor, 
that we question if all the sweetening processes ever invented, could 
render it palatable to a Jew, Pagan, or Christian. 
Temminck, and some recent ornithologists, have separated our Vul- 
tures from the genus Vultur, and have classed them under the genus 
CatJiartcs of Illiger. It should seem that there is a propriety in this 
arrangement ; but as Wilson published, in his sixth volume, the cata- 
logue of his land birds, adopting the genus VuUur, as sanctioned by 
Latham, we have not thought proper, in this instance, to deviate from 
his 2)lan.t 
Species II. YVLTUR JOTA. 
BLACK VULTURE, or CARRION CROW. 
[Plate LXXV. Fig. 2.] 
Vul/irr jofa, Gmel. Si/sf. i., p. 247. — Molina, Hist. Chili, i., p. 1S5, Am. irans. — 
Zopilot^ Clatigero, Hist. Mcx. i., p. 47, Exg. trans. — Gallinazo, Ulloa, Voi/. i., p. 
52, Amsferdam ed. — Vultur at rains, Baktram, p. 2S9. — Vantnur du Brisil, PL 
Ent. 187. — Vultur aura, B. Lath. Iiul. Orii. p. v. — Lc Vautour uruhu, Vieill. 
Ois. de I'Am. Sept. i,, p. 23, pi. 2. 
The liabits of both this and the preceding Vulture are singular. In 
the towns and villages of the southern states, particularly Charleston and 
Georgetown, South Carolina, and in Savannah, Georgia, these birds may 
be seen either sauntering about the streets ; sunning themselves on the 
roofs of the houses, and the fences ; or, if the weather 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 ; and may 
be said to be completely domesticated, being as common as the poultry, 
and equally as familiar. The inhabitants, generally, are disgusted with 
theii" filthy, voracious habits ; but notwithstanding, being viewed as con- 
tributive to the removal of dead animal matter, which, if permitted to 
putrefy during the hot season, would render the atmosphere impure, 
they have a respect paid them as scavengers, Avhose labors are sub- 
servient to the public good. It sometimes happens that, after having 
gorged themselves, they vomit down the chimneys, which must be intole- 
rably disgusting, and must provoke the ill will of those whose hospitality 
is thus requited. To obviate this evil, the chimney tops of some houses 
* Leviticus, si., 14. Deuteronomy, xiv. 13. 
t From Mr. Ord's supplementary volume. 
