BLACK VULTURE. 
241 
and by means of their bill they so soon enlarge the woiindj 
that the animal finally becomes their prey.”* 
The account^ from the same author, of the beneficial effects 
resulting 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 they are extremely fond of their eggs, and 
employ much stratagem 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 unperceived 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, with 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 
offspring, and to the gallinazo a taste for the eggs of the 
female ! Indeed, neither the rivers, nor the neighbouring 
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.’ ’f 
The Abbe 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 
* Voyage Historique de L'Amerique Meridionale, par Don George Juan et 
Don Antoine de Ulloa, liv. i. chap. viii. p. 52. A Amsterdam et a Leipzig, 
1752, 4to. 
f Liv. iv. chap, ix, p. 172. 
VOL. III. 2 
