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182 
TRAVELS ON THE RIO NEGRO. 
[June, 
times plentiful, but did not appear till some weeks 
later tlian tlie other species, when I was at last re- 
warded for my patience by obtaining several beautiful 
specimens. 
The common black vultures were abundant, but were 
rather put to it for food, being obliged to eat palm-fruits 
in the forest when they could find nothing else. Every 
morning it was an amusing sight to see them run after 
the pigs the moment they got up, three or four following 
close at the heels of each animal, for the purpose of de- 
voming its dung the moment it was dropped. The pigs 
seemed to be very much annoyed at such indecent be- 
haviour, and would frequently turn round and take a 
run at the birds, who would hop out of the way or fly a 
short distance, but immediately resume their positions 
as soon as the pig continued his walk. 
I am convinced, from repeated observations, that the 
vultures depend entirely on sight, and not at all on smell, 
in seeking out their food. While skinning a bird, a 
dozen of them used to be always waiting attendance at 
a moderate distance. The moment I threw away a piece 
of meat they would all run up to seize it ; but it frequently 
happened to fall in a little hollow of the ground or among 
some grass, and then they would hop about, searching 
within a foot of it, and very often go away without find- 
ing it at all. A piece of stick or paper would bring 
them down just as rapidly, and after seeing what it was 
they would quietly go back to their' former places. They 
always choose elevated stations, evidently to see what 
food they can discover ; and when soaring at an immense 
height in the air, they will descend into the forest where 
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