Plate 151 Turkey Buzzard 

John James Audubon made this print of two Turkey Buzzards as part of his ambitious project, *Birds of America*. The image shows these birds perched on a branch, rendered with scientific precision and artistic flair. Audubon's work reflects a complex relationship with the natural world in the 19th-century United States. On the one hand, it celebrates the diversity of American wildlife. On the other hand, it embodies a desire to classify and control nature, reflecting the expansionist and industrial impulses of the time. The Turkey Buzzard, a scavenger, occupies an ambiguous place in this cultural landscape, seen as both essential for its role in cleaning up carrion and as a symbol of decay. Audubon's detailed portrayal invites us to reconsider our perceptions of these often-maligned creatures. To fully understand Audubon's work, we can turn to historical archives, scientific literature, and cultural studies to understand its broader significance.