14 
TURKEY VULTURE. 
In New Jersey,* the Turkey-buzzard hatches in May, the 
deep recesses of the solitary swamps of that state affording si- 
tuations well suited to the purpose. The female is at no pains to 
form a nest with materials; but having chosen a suitable place, 
which is either a truncated hollow tree, or an excavated stump 
or log, she lays on the rotten wood from two to four eggs, of a 
dull dirty white, splashed all over with chocolate, mingled with 
blackish touches, the blotches largest and thickest towards the 
great end; the form somewhat like the egg of a goose, but 
blunter at the small end; length two inches and three quarters, 
breadth two inches. The male watches often while the female 
is sitting; and if not disturbed they will occupy the same breed- 
ing place for several years. The young are clothed with a 
whitish down, similar to that which covers young goslings. If 
any person approach the nest, and attempt to handle them, they 
will immediately vomit such offensive matter, as to compel the 
intruder to a precipitate retreat. 
The Turkey-buzzards are gregarious, peaceable and harmless; 
never offering any violence to a living animal, or, like the plun- 
derers of the Falco tribe, depriving the husbandman of his stock. 
Hence, though in consequence of their filthy habits they are 
not beloved, yet they are respected for their usefulness; and in 
the southern states, where they are most needed, they, as well 
as the black vultures, are protected by a law, which imposes 
a fine on those who wilfully deprive them of life. In the mid- 
dle and northern states, being unprotected by law, these useful 
birds are exposed to persecution, and, consequently, they avoid 
the residence of man. They generally roost in flocks, upon the 
limbs of large trees; and they may be seen in a summer’s morn- 
ing, spreading out their wings to the rising sun, and remain- 
ing in that posture for a considerable time. Pennant conjectures 
that this is “to purify their bodies, which are most offensively 
* The author mentions New Jersey in particular, as in that state he has visi- 
ted the breeding places of the Turkey-buzzard, and can therefore speak with 
certainty of the fact. Pennsylvania, it is more than probable, affords situations 
equally attractive, which are also tenanted by this Vulture, for hatching and 
rearing its young. 
