This bird is found mostly in the southern states. Here he is known by
the more common name of Turkey Buzzard.
He looks like a noble bird but he isn't. While he is well fitted for
flying, and might, if he tried, catch his prey, he prefers to eat dead
animals.
The people down south never think of burying a dead horse or cow. They
just drag it out away from their homes and leave it to the Vultures
who are sure to dispose of it.
It is very seldom that they attack a live animal.
They will even visit the streets of the cities in search of dead
animals for food, and do not show much fear of man. Oftentimes they
are found among the chickens and ducks in the barn-yard, but have
never been known to kill any.
One gentleman who has studied the habits of the Vulture says that
it has been known to suck the eggs of Herons. This is not common,
though. As I said they prefer dead animals for their food and even eat
their own dead.
The Vulture is very graceful while on the wing. He sails along and you
can hardly see his wings move as he circles about looking for food on
the ground below.
Many people think the Vulture looks much like our tame turkey.
If you know of a turkey near by, just compare this picture with it and
you won't think so.
See how chalk-white his bill is. No feathers on his head, but a bright
red skin.
What do you think of the young chick? It doesn't seem as though he
could ever be the large, heavy bird his parent seems to be.
Now turn back to the first page of July "BIRDS" and see how he differs
from the Eagle.
[Illustration: From col. F. M. Woodruff.
TURKEY VULTURE.]