LETTERS FROM ALABAMA. 
89 
Vultures [Gathartes aura) are fond of sitting on 
them ; foi% being totally destitute of foliage to inter- 
cept vision, their topmost branches form a conve- 
nient observatory for reconnoitring the surrounding 
country. 
I got up yesterday morning before sunrise, and 
went into ‘the woods with a boy to see if I could 
procure any birds. We roused about fifty of 
these obscene vultures from an early breakfast on 
a deceased hog ; they reluctantly enough took to 
wing on our approach, and settled in numbers 
together, in great black masses, on the branches of 
the dead pines around. When they rose — for if 
one moved all accompanied it^ — the united impulse 
caused large limbs to break off and fall with a 
thundering crash. 
These birds are very unwilling to leave the 
vicinity of a carcase which they have discovered : 
they will continue to fly over the place, or sail 
far over head in vfidening circles, till an oppor- 
tunity is afforded for them again to descend upon 
their prey. They make quick work with a car- 
case, and clean work too. The other day I was 
told of a hog in a neighbouring field, that had 
been but just discovered by the vultures : I wished 
to see them, but as it was close upon dinner time, 
I deferred it. On going to the spot after dinner, I 
found nothing but the clean-picked bones, the vul- 
tures having finished their dinner as well as 1. 
I have said that the dead trees fall chiefly in 
winter ; storms, however, are not wholly confined 
to that season. Hurricanes of great violence occur 
not rarely at other times, before which the old 
tottering skeletons fl}^ in all directions, and even 
the living forest-trees bow and fall. It is singular 
