BLACK VULTURE. 
243 
is a most useful bird to that countryj for it not only clears the 
fields, but attends the crocodiles, and destroys the eggs which 
the females of those dreadful amphibious animals leave in the 
sand to be hatched by the heat of the sun. The destruction 
of such a bird ought to be prohibited under severe penalties.”* 
We are almost afraid of trespassing upon the patience of the 
reader by the length of our quotations ; but as we are very 
anxious that the subject of this article should enjoy that right 
to which it is fairly entitled, of being ranked as an independent 
species, we are tempted to add one testimony more, which we 
find in the History of Chili^ by the Abbe Molina. 
Thejoto [Vultur jota) resembles much the^z^m, a species 
of vulture, of which there is, perhaps, but one variety. It is 
distinguished, however, by the beak, which is grey, with a black 
point. Notwithstanding the size of this bird, which is nearly 
that of the turkey, and its strong and crooked talons, it attacks 
no other, but feeds principally upon carcasses and reptiles. It 
is extremely indolent, and will frequently remain, for a long 
time, almost motionless, with its wings extended, sunning itself 
upon the rocks, or the roofs of the houses. When in pain, 
which is the only time that it is known to make any noise, it 
utters a sharp cry like that of a rat ; and usually disgorges what 
it has eaten. The flesh of this bird emits a fetid smell that is 
highly offensive. The manner in which it builds its nest, is 
perfectly correspondent to its natural indolence : it carelessly 
places between rocks, or even upon the ground, a few dry leaves 
or feathers, upon which it lays two eggs of a dirty white.”f 
The black vulture is twenty-six inches in length, and four 
feet four inches in extent ; the bill is two inches and a half 
long, of a dark horn colour as far as near an inch; the re- 
mainder, the head, and a part of the neck, are covered with a 
black, wrinkled, caruncled skin, beset with short black hairs, 
and downy behind; nostril, an oblong slit; irides, reddish 
* Clavigero’s Mexico, translated by Cullen, vol. i. p. 47. London. 
f Hist. Chili, Am. Trans. I. p. 185. 
