ACCIPITRES — FALCONID^E — CATHARTES. 3 



and from thence the distance is inconsiderable to the west end of Long island. Here I have 

 seen them twice, and they appear to be known to the country people, who speak of them, 

 .however, as very rare, and only seen at intervals of several years, and during the hottest of 

 the season. Dr. Eights assures me that he saw them once on the low islands in the Hudson 

 below Albany. Southwardly it is supposed to range to the River La Plata. They are found 

 abundantly on the Rocky mountains and along the Columbia river, and according to Richard- 

 son as far north as the 53d parallel. It is common in Ohio during the summer, but does not 

 continue in the northern parts of that State during the winter. Food, carrion, disabled ani- 

 mals, the eggs of birds, etc. Lay two eggs, nearly three inches long, yellowish white, with 

 dark brown blotches particularly at the larger end. 



{EXTRA-LIMITAL.) 



C. atratus- Black Vulture. (Aud. B. of A. PI. 3.) Neck more feathered above than below. Tail 



emarginate. Young entirely brown. Southern States. 

 C. californianus. (Aud. lb. pi. 1.) Feathers of the collar and breast lanceolate. Wings reaching 



beyond the tail. Length, 55 inches. Columbia river. 



FAMILY FALCONID^E. 



Head and neck feathered. Tarsus longer than the middle toe. Claws strong, sharp, much 

 curved, very retractile. Lower mandible obliquely rounded at the tip. Eyes large and 

 prominent, with a projecting bony ridge above. 



Obs. This family, which formerly contained but two genera, now comprises from nine to 

 twelve, according to the views of systematic writers. 



{EXTRA-LIMITAL.) 



Genus Polyborus, Vieillot. Cere large, covered with hair-like feathers continued over the cheeks and 

 behind the eyes. Nostrils narrow, oblique. Wings long ; the third and fouith quills longest. 

 Tail rounded. Bill large, much compressed. 

 P. brasiliensis (Audub. B. of A. Vol. 1, p. 21, pi. 4.) Above blackish brown. Head crested. Tail 

 white, with a broad dusky band at the tip. Cere dull red. Legs yellow. Florida. Rare. 



