There were two distinct species of them, the "turkey-buzzard" (_Cathartes aura_), and the black vulture (_Cathartes atratus_).

Our boys knew them well enough--for both kinds are common in Louisiana, and throughout all the southern part of the United States.
I have said that a careless observer would mistake the one species for the other.

They are nearly of the same size and colour, though the carrion-crow is of a deeper black than the buzzard; but there are other points of difference that would strike the eye of a naturalist at once.
The buzzard is a much more handsomely formed bird, and is more graceful, both upon the ground and while sailing through the air.

His wings are longer and more elegantly plumed, and his tail is more tapering.

The skin of his naked head and neck, as well as that of his legs, is of a reddish or flesh colour; while the same parts of the black vulture are a mixture of black and grey--the black being caused by a down that grows thinly over the skin.