The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1902-02-12
Charleston's Black Wings.

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arc not only allowed to roam about
the streets and market place at will,
but their lives are protected by law.
Recently made my first visit to Char
lesion in order to attend the opening
OF the great exposition in that city,
which, by the way, let me say here, is
an enterprise of great magnitude and
most worthy Of the praise and hearty
support of the people of the entire
country. While on the spot deter
mined 10 investigate and find out for
myself about these strange pets of
the city authorities.
had always understood that Mr..
Buzzard made his headquarters about
the central market, which is situated
on one Of the principal streets, near
the United States custom house, and
between the Charleston Hotel and the
celebrated old church Of St. Miohael's.
One bright morning started out. 10
my great establishment | soon walk
ed right up to big flock of these
ebony birds, picking at bones or loose
scraps Of meat, and moving about on
the market pavement in quite leis-
urely way and as unconcerned about
the life around them as chickens in
farmers barnyard The crowd Of
people going in and out Of the market
paid no more attention to these fcath-
cred monsters at their feet than we
do to as many English sparrows on our
| streets.
slowly drew nearer and nearer, all
the time watching them closely, for 1
had never been so near birds of. this
feather and odor in all my life. / was
surprised to find the sight so bcwildcr-
ing as we'll as entertaining. To me
they seemed not only to be leisurely
engaged in eating their morning repast
but at the same time were initiating
many Of the different characteristics
of the human family. Their actions
WCA y 81 VI NC W uuLolC III hduy Dud6C6
Of human life that almost felt I was
witnessing real play, tho pavement
before me being q stage. Soon it oc-
Cured to me that buzzards perhaps
first became welcome visitors in tho
streets of Charleston some hundred
years ago, not as scavengers, as the
modern Charlcstonian will now tell
you. but simply to entertain tho peo-
pie by their many odd and clever acts.
will here note few of their per-
formances, which I witnessed that
morning.
One seemed to me to be the wag of
the flock and would raise one wing
much higher than the other, and in q
staggering zig-zag way walk across
the street, which act seemed at least
highly satisfactory to himself. An
other would hold his wings in q most
graceful position aud give few steps
Of that old-time favorite dance known
as the minuet. Others would stand
very erect while putting the tips of
their wings very close around their
feet and letting the upper parts stand
out little, giving them the appear
ance Of initiating the members Of the
| United States supreme court in their
official gowns. Others appeared like
prim, digni6ed widows in deepest
mourning and with. hearts bowed down
with sorrow. Some looked like haugh-
| ty bondholders with no poor kin and
plenty IF money to burn. Others
gave an appearance Of being poor and
proud and were just certain they be-
longed to the very first families of the
land, and that in their veins flowed
purer blood and more of it than any
other buzzard in the whole flock,
while many others cut to perfection
the old-fashioned pigeon wing with
it's many variations
No wonder they are so naughty and
without regard for the rights and feel
ings of Others, for they have trust
founded upon the richest scavenger
business in one Of the oldest cities of
the Land, and theirs was perhaps the
first trust in America. Trust magnates
among men are always supposed to be
defiant, and why should they not be
likewise among buzzards?
| had not been looking at their en-
tertainment long before they seemed
to recognize me IS q stranger fresh
from up the country, for Charleston
people never appear to notice them
any more than they do the oobble-
stones in the street. They shot at me