192 VULTURI‘IS.

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 s savengers are invaluable. The thought of bury- ing a dead horse or cow never occurs to the southern planter. lle simply drags the animal to a Inore 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-clean— ing department, and if their efforts were seconded by a corps of goats, to dispose of the more indigestible materials, they would form an ad- mirable 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 ad- vantage of the heat arising with the smoke.

Their only note is a low, hissing sound littered when they are dis- turbed. Just after sunset Buzzards may be seen sailing to their roosting place, generally in the upper branches of a dead tree.

326. Catharista atrata. (Barth). BLACK VrLTL'RE. Ad.—Hcad and neck bare. the skin and base of the bill bhtel'is/t ; plumage glossy black; under surface of the wings silvery. L., about 21400; W.. 17-00; ’1‘., 8'00; 3., 2’20.

Emma—Breeds from North Carolina soutl1ward,through Mexico to South America. and occasionally strays as far north as Maine.

Next. on the ground. under logs. bushes, palmettos. etc. [Zr/{73. one to three, pale bluish \\'l1ite,;renerally more or less spotted with distinct and obscure chocolate markings, 2'33 x 2'00.

This species is more abundant, near the seacoast and less common in the interior than the preceding. It is also more often found living in towns or cities. Any one who has visited the vicinity of the market in Charleston, S. C., will testify to its abundance and semi-domestica- tion there. Indeed. the birds have become so tame that when engaged in devouring some savory morsel they are in frequent danger of being trodden under foot.

Black Vultures are heavier birds than Turkey Buzzards, and when- ever the ownership of food is in question the dispute is invariably settled in the Vulture’s favor. Their stretch of wing, however, is not so great. and for this reason their flight is far less easy and graceful than that of the Buzzard. They flap their wings oftener. and this habit. in connection with their black heads. grayish primaries, and comparatively short tails. serves to identify them in the field. The only note I have ever heard from them is a low grunt uttered when they are disturbed.