12 
CATHARTES ATRATUS. 
likewise less lazy. The black vulture, on the ground, 
hops along very awkwardly ; the turkey buzzard, though 
seemingly inactive, moves with an even gait. The latter, 
unless pressed by hunger, will not eat of a carcass until 
it becomes putrid ; the former is not so fastidious, but 
devours animal food without distinction. 
It is said that the black vultures sometimes attack 
young pigs, and eat off their ears and tails ; and we 
have even heard stories of their assaulting feeble calves 
and picking out their eyes. But these instances are 
rare : if otherwise, they would not receive that counte- 
nance or protection which is so universally extended 
to them, in the states of South Carolina and Georgia, 
where they abound. 
“ This undescribed species,” says Mr Bartram, a is 
a native of the maritime parts of Georgia and of tire 
Floridas, where they are called carrion crows. They 
dock together, and feed upon carrion, but do not mix 
with the turkey buzzard, (yultur aura .) Their wings are 
broad, and round at their extremities. Their tail, which 
they spread like a fan when on the wing, is remarkably 
short. They have a heavy, laborious dight, dapping 
their wings, and sailing alternately. The whole plumage 
is of a sable, or mourning colour.”* 
In one of Mr Wilson’s journals, I dnd an interesting 
detail of the greedy and disgusting habits of this species ; 
and shall give the passage entire, in the same unadorned 
manner in which it is written. 
“ February 21, 1809. — Went out to Hampstead f this 
forenoon. A horse had dropped down in the street, in 
convulsions ; and dying, it was dragged out to Hamp- 
stead, and skinned. The ground, for a hundred yards 
around it, was black with carrion crows ,* many sat on 
the tops of sheds, fences, and houses within sight ; sixty 
or eighty on the opposite side of a small run. I counted 
at one time two hundred and thirty-seven, but I believe 
* MS. in the possession of Mr Ord. 
f Near Charleston, South Carolina 
