20 
BLACK VULTURE. 
from the fondness of the vultures for the eggs of the alligator, merits 
attention. 
" The Gallinazos are the most inveterate enemies of the alligators, or 
rather thej are extremely fond of their eggs ; and employ much strata- 
gem to obtain them. During the summer, these birds make it their 
business to watch the female alligators ; for it is in that season that they 
deposit their eggs in the sand of the shores of the rivers, ■which are not 
then overflowed. The Gallinazo conceals itself among the branches and 
leaves of a tree, so as to be unpcrceived by the alligator, and permits 
the eggs quietly to be laid, not even interrupting the precautions that 
she takes to conceal them. But she is no sooner under the water, than 
the Gallinazo darts upon the nest ; and Avith its bill, claws, and wings, 
uncovers the eggs, and gobbles them down, leaving nothing but the 
shells. This banquet would indeed richly reward its patience, did not a 
multitude of Gallinazos join the fortunate discoverer, and share in the 
spoil. 
" How admirable the wisdom of that Providence, which hath given to 
the male alligator an inclination to devour its own off"spring ; and to the 
Gallinazo a taste for the eggs of the female ! Indeed neither the rivers, 
nor the neighboring fields, would otherwise be sufficient to contain the 
multitudes that are hatched ; for notwithstanding the ravages of both 
these insatiable enemies, one can hardly imagine the numbers that 
remain."* 
The Abb^ Clavigero, in his History of Mexico, has clearly indicated 
the present species, as distinguished from the Turkey-buzzard. 
" The business of clearing the fields of Mexico, is reserved princi- 
pally for the Zojn'Iots, known in South America by the name of Galli- 
nazzi ; in other places, by that of Awe ; and in some places, though 
very improperly, by that of Ravens. There are two very diiferent spe- 
cies 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 pecu- 
liarities. The Zopilots, properly so called, have black feathers, with a 
* Liv. iv., chap, ix., p. 172. 
