BLACK VULTURE. 
277 
below of a drab, or dark cream colour, extending two inches, which 
is seen only when the wing is unfolded, the shafts of the feathers 
white on both sides ; the rest of the wing feathers dark on both 
sides ; secondaries, scapulars and tail, with a slight coppery gloss ; 
the wings when folded are about the length of the tail, the fifth 
feather being the longest ; the secondaries are two inches shorter 
than the tail, which is composed of twelve feathers, and slightly 
forked, or nearly square ; the exterior feathers three quarters of 
an inch longer than the rest ; the legs are of a dirty limy white, 
three inches and a half in length, and, with the feet, are thick and 
strong ; the middle toe, including the claw, is four inches long, 
side toes two inches, and connected to the middle as far as the 
first joint ; inner toe rather the shortest ; hind toe pointing inward; 
claws strong, but not sharp like those of the Fa/co genus, middle 
claw three quarters of an inch long ; the stomach is not lined with 
hair as reported. When opened, this bird smells strongly of musk, 
so much so as to be quite oflPensive. Sexes nearly alike. 
Mr. Abbot informs me that the Carrion-crow builds its nest 
in the large trees of the low wet swamps, to which places they re- 
tire every evening to roost. “ They frequent,” says he, “ that 
part of the town of Savannah where the hog-butchers reside, and 
walk about the streets, in great numbers, like domestic fowls. It 
is diverting to see, when the entrails and offals of the hogs are 
thrown to them, with what greediness they scramble for the food, 
seizing upon it and pulling one against another until the strongest 
prevails. The Turkey-buzzard is accused of killing young lambs 
and pigs, by picking out their eyes, but I believe that the Carrion- 
crow is not guilty of the like practices.” When taken alive this 
bird bites excessively hard, and its bill, which is very sharp on its 
edges, is capable of inflicting severe wounds, as I myself expe- 
rienced. 
4 A 
VOI,. IX. 
