ACCIPITRES. 



1G5 



The Fulvous Vulture (V. fitlvut, 

 Gra.l is the most widely-diffused spe- 

 cies, inhabiting the mountainous parts 

 of the whole ancient continent. Its 

 boa*, surpasses in size that of a Swan 

 [possibly in the instance of some fe- 

 males. This bird has been errone- 

 ously stated to have fourteen tail- 

 ffamers.'* The greater number of the 

 r.enus possess similar characters.] 



The Dusky Vulture (V. cinereus, 

 (Jm.)— As widely distributed as the 

 preceding [but less numerously], and 

 Mill larger: it frequently attacks liv- 

 lnt" animals. [This species exemplifies 

 Uie subgenus Gyps of Savigny : hav- 

 ing the beak more sharply pointed, 

 the nostrils almost round, and the 

 fiead partially clothed with feathers. 

 The Vultures generally, indeed, have 

 the head and neck feathered when 

 young, like the Turkey and other 

 birds which have bald heads in a state 

 ot maturity : the immature V. Ango- 

 lensis, Gm., is doubtfully figured by 

 Bennett as a species of Caracara (Po- 

 lyborus? hypoleucos) ; but the adults 



Ki£. 73. — 1, hind margin of the sternum of a true Vulture — 2, ditto, of Neophron — 3, ditto, of of that species Continue tO have those 

 Cuthartei aura — 4, ditto, of C. Cali/ornianus, the foramina of which have become obliterated , - 



—.5, ditto, of another presumed Cathartes—6, ditto, of Secretary. parts invested.] 



The Oricou Vulture ( V. auricularis, Daud.), an African species, [probably the largest of the true Vultures,] has 

 a longitudinal fleshy crest on each side of the neck, above the ear, [a character which likewise occurs, less promi- 

 nently, in one or two others]. 



America produces Vultures remarkable for the caruncles which surmount the membrane at the base 

 of the beak ; the latter is as large as in the preceding, but the nostrils are oval and longitudinal. 

 They are 



The Condors (Sarcoramphus, Dumeril), — 



[A very distinct genus, remarkable for having no muscles attached to the trachea, in consequence of 

 which they are necessarily deprived of voice, emitting no sound beyond a weak snorting. Their hind 

 toe is shorter than in other Accipitres.'] 



The King Condor (V. papa, Lin).— Size of a Goose. The naked parts of the head and neck vividly coloured, and 

 the caruncle denticulated like the comb of a cock. It inhabits the Pampas and other hot parts of South America. 

 This species is termed the King of the Vultures, from theGallinazos giving place to it, through fear, whenever it 

 settles upon a carcase which they had begun to devour. 



The Great Condor ( V. gryphus, Lin.); the male of which, in addition to his superior carunclet, has another 

 under the beak, like the cock. The female differs in colour, and is without the caruncles. This bird lias been 

 rendered famous by exaggerated reports of its size : it is little larger than the Bearded Griffin, which its uuuuiem 

 resemble. It inhabits the most elevated regions of the Andes, and flies higher thai) t*y eth*r bird- 



The Gallinazos {Cathartes, Cuv.) — 

 Have the beak of the Condors, that is to say, large, with longitudinal oval nostriis, rvnt ue f.tVfiY crwt : 

 their head and neck are without feathers ; [plumage nearly or wholly black: the sternum emarginated 

 inward of the ordinary foramen. All the species are from America.] 



The Great Gallinazo (F, califomianiu, Shaw), — approaches the large Condor in size, with proportionally longer 

 wings. [ I' nun the western coast of North America.] 



The Turkey Buzzard of the Anglo-Americans (F. aura, Lin.)— Little larger than a fowl. [There appear to be 

 others, hitherto imperfectly determined.] 



The Neophrons (Neophron, Cuv.) — 



Have a long and slender beak, rather tumid above its curvature; the nostrils oval and longitudinal, 



• X.i ipeclea "i bird hu more than twelve tall fcathen (Including 

 the uropygiah) till «r< m,,-. it the Poultry. Hence, the Alntma, 

 — mentioned in the preceding note,— which poaaaai * elghtet n, night 



in this thitra. ti - been referred '... Iti pr ..j. . r itatlon. 



t It Is proper to remark that the ri|[id rartllaginoua cre«t of the 

 male ol Ihll Condor offen no analogy, auatomicnllr, with the flaccid 

 caruncle ol the other.— Ed. 



