American
Within their range Vultures are found wherever there is food. Far above the earth on firm wing they sail in broad circles, and from this outlook in the sky descend to feast upon the stricken deer in the forest or the cur lying in the gutters of a thoroughfare. Except during the nesting season, they are generally found in flocks, which each night return to a regularly frequented roost. When alarmed, they utter low, grunting sounds, but at other times are voiceless. 325. Cathartes aura (Linn.). TURKEY VULTURE. (See Fig. 32.) Ad.-Head and neck naked, the skin and base of the bill bright red; plumage glossy black, edged with grayish brown. Im.-Similar, but the head covered with grayish-brown furlike feathers. L., about 30.00; W., 22.00; T., 11.00; B., 2.30.
Range Temperate North America, from New Jersey southward to Patagonia. Of more or less regular occurrence in New Jersey as far north as Princeton in the interior and Sandy Hook on the coast. Washington, abundant P. R. Sing Sing, A. V.
Nest, in hollow stumps or logs, or on the ground beneath bushes or palmettos. Eggs, one to three, dull white, generally spotted and blotched with distinct and obscure chocolate marking, but sometimes plain or but slightly spotted, 2.80 x 2.00.
Doubtless one of the first things that attract the attention of a stranger in our Southern States is the Turkey Buzzard. Indeed, there are few moments between sunrise and sunset when these birds are not in sight. On outstretched, immovable wings they soar overhead in graceful circles, perfect pictures of "repose in motion." Without once flapping their broad pinions, they sail in spirals up the sky until they are hidden by the storm-clouds they have purposely avoided. VULTURES.
Again, one sees them winging their way low over fields or through the streets of a town in search of food, which their powers of both sight and smell assist them in finding.
Their services as scavengers are invaluable. The thought of burying a dead horse or cow never occurs to the southern planter. He simply drags the animal to a more or less retired place and leaves it for the Buzzards, who never fail to do justice to the repast. In some southern towns they make a self-constituted street-cleaning department, and if their efforts were seconded by a corps of goats, to dispose of the more indigestible materials, they would form an admirable branch of the public service. After a rain it is a common sight to see Buzzards perching with wings held in spread-eagle fashion as they dry their water-soaked plumage. Frequently they stand on the top of a chimney to take advantage of the heat arising with the smoke. Their only note is a low, hissing sound uttered when they are disturbed. Just after sunset Buzzards may be seen sailing to their roosting place, generally in the upper branches of a dead tree. 326. Catharista atrata (Bartr.). BLACK VULTURE. Ad.-Head and neck bare, the skin and base of the bill blackish; plumage glossy black; under surface of the wings silvery. L., about 24.00; W., 17·00; T., 8.00; B., 2.20.