The Nashville globe. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1906-193?, 1912-11-22
THE TURKEY BUZZARD AS A CAR
RIER AND TRANSMlTTER OF
ANIMAL DISEASES.
BY Geo. r. White, M. D. v. S., State
Live Stock Inspector.

Since the Turkey Buzzard is such
a menace to the live stock industry
of Tennessee-on account of beng
a disease carrier-it is well that our
live stock raisers have their attention
directed to this bird, particularly it
habits and dangers.
The Buzzard is n of our largest
and most common birds. 1t is filthy
and repulsive on account of being a
scavenger. 1t is much more common
in the Southern States than those to
the north of us; however, it is occa-
sionally observed as far north as Cana
da. 1t exists to a more or less de-
gree in every State in the Union. The
Buzzard is sluggish and lazy in its
habits and has a decided preference
for warm ATTITUDES.
1t is in Southern Alabama, Georgia,
Florida and the West Indies, that the
Euzzard finds life pleasanJest. How
V e the Buzard breeds and thrives
we'll in Tennessee. Here We find them
present at all seasons of the year in
great numbers.
It is molested by no other bird,
since it attacks one It makes no
enemies, since it feeds almost entirely
on carrion, which no other bird grud-
ges. The youngest chickens in the
yard show no alarm when a buzzard
alights in their midst. They know
from instinct that no more harmless
bird to them exicts.
The Buzzard depends for protection
entirely upon disagreement of the foul
carrion contents of it's stomach upon
the intruder. When disturbed in the
act Of devouring a foetid-especially
when extremely hungry-they express
great displeasure and blow thro, the
nose, making a low, kissing sound or
grunt, and lift their wings in a threat
enlng attitude. This Kissing and
grunting sound is the only noise a
buzzard ever utters.
Since the buzzard feeds upon the
%carcasses of animals Unfortunately
and are themselves endowed with nat
ural immunity against most conta-
geous infectious diseases, they are
now considered carriers or all animal
diseases which are of germ origin.
They carry the infection Of Black
Leg, Anthrax, tuberculosis, Hog Chol-
era, Chambers and many diseases from
place to place. This infection Is car
ried upon the whole surface of their
body, especially on the mouth and
feet, as well as in their stomachs. All
of the natural discharges from a buz-
Yards body are disease laden at all
times, hence it behooves every owner
of live stock to see that these disease
carrying creatures are not allowed to
light upon their premises.
Aside from public stock yards,
consider the turkey buz7ard directly
responsible for most of the outbreaks
of Hog Cholera in Tennessee.
Many of the Southern states afford
the buzzard legal protection. This
accounts in part for their great mum.
bers. At one time the buzzard was
protected by law in Tennessee. A,
that time anyone killing a buzzard
was liable to arrest and fine. OF
course when that law was passed M
one had anv idea that the buzzard
was such a spreader of disease.
Some people are under the enron
eous impression that the buzzard at
this time has LEGAL protection in Ten
nessee. For their benefit I will say
that the law protecting the buzzard
was repealed in 1913. Since thai
date the buzzard has had no LEGAL pro-
lection in this State. Any rerson
can kill a buzzard without violating
any State law. Since that is a fact,
every rood citizen should do his part
towards exterminat'ng the buzzard,
as it is a menace to the live stock
raising industry in Tennessee, on a.
count of being a spreader If Hoo Chol.
era and manv other contagious in
fectious diseases.
IF all persons would make It a rule
TO bury all animals which die on the
farm. then there would be no induce
ment offered the buzzard 70 visit their
premises. Resides heino an attrac-
tion to h~uzzards. the stencil from foe
It'd ~carcaeses o. large animals coustf-
tute a public nuisance, in anv COM
munity where they are allowed to de-