[312.] CATHARTES ATRATUS (Bartram).
(BLACK VULTURE.)
Cathartes fœtans, Burm. La-Plata, Reise, ii. p. 433 (Mendoza, Tucuman). Cathartes atratus, Darwin, Zool. Beagle, iii. p. 7 (Rio Negro); Scl. et Salv. Nomencl. p. 123; Sclater, P. Z. S. 1872, p. 536 (Rio Negro); Barrows, Auk, 1884, p. 113 (Pampas). Catharista atrata, Baird, Brew., et Ridgw. N. A. B. iii. p. 351.
Description.—Plumage black; head bare, black: whole length 25·0 inches, wing 17·5, tail 8·5. Female similar.
Hab. Eastern U.S., and Central and Southern America to Chili and the Rio Negro of Patagonia.
According to Dr. Burmeister the Black Vulture is found throughout the Argentine Pampas, but is commoner in the east and north. It is known as the “Gallinazo” at Mendoza, and “Cuervo” in Tucuman. Mr. Barrows tells us that he did not see it during his residence at Concepcion, but was told of its former abundance in times of drought, when dead sheep were numerous. It was, however, met with by him in small numbers during his excursion through the Sierras of the Pampas south of Buenos Ayres.
On the Rio Negro of Patagonia I found these Vultures abundant, especially near the settlement of El Carmen, where, attracted by the refuse of the cattle-slaughtering establishments, they congregated in immense numbers, and were sometimes seen crowded together in thousands on the trees, where they roosted. Darwin observed them at the same place, and has described their soaring habits at considerable length.
The following account of the nesting-habits of this species is given by Mr. John J. Dalgleish (Proc. Roy. Phys. Soc. Edinb. vi. p. 237):—“The eggs seldom, if ever, exceed two in number, and are usually laid in a hollow tree or on the ground. Their average weight is about a pound. They are slightly larger than those of the Turkey-Buzzard, although the latter is a bigger bird. The ground-colour is of a yellowish white, with blotches of dark reddish brown, and smaller markings of a lilac shade. These markings are generally more numerous at the larger end.”