376 Mr. Vigors's Sketches in Ornithologi/, 



The secood form of the typical group is the true 



VuLTUR, Auct., 

 ■which is distinguished from Sarcoramphus by the absence of the 

 fleshy caruncles on the head, and by the situation of the nares^ 

 which, although of the same form as in that genus are placed 

 transversely or rather obliquely, instead of longitudinally, on 

 the cere. The first quill feather is short, being of equal length 

 with the sixth: and the fourth is the longest. Of this genus, 

 which is confined to the Old World, the V.fulvus, Briss., and 

 V, cinereus^ Gmel., may be selected as types. 



To these species M. Temminck has added V. monachus^ Linn., 

 [PI. Col. 13 & 222.] ; V. Pondicerianus, Lath., [PI. Col. 2.'] ; 

 V, auricularis, Daud., [Ois. d'Afrique pi, 9.] ; V. Indicus, Lath., 

 [PI. Col. 26.] ; and F, Angolensis, Gmel. These two latter species 

 he intimates as being true Vultures, but standing at the extreme 

 limits of the genus. I have not had an opportunity of accurately 

 examining any of these species except the last. This evidently 

 presents a modification of form, which may hereafter lay the 

 foundation of a new group. Its bill is that of the genuine Vul' 

 tureSy but the back part of the head and neck is covered with 

 feathers, the under parts only being naked. It thus indicates 

 the immediate passage from the present group of true Vultures to 

 that of Gypa'etus, upon which we are about to enter, and in 

 which the head and neck will be found to be nearly entirely 

 plumed. 



This genus Vultur has again been subdivided by M. Savigny 

 into two departments, of which the above mentioned European 

 species are respectively the representatives. To the form which 

 is represented by V.fulvus, and which is characterized by having 

 the tongue furnished with sharp points, the nares simple or 

 naked, and the tail composed of twelve feathers, he has restored 

 the ancient name of Gi/ps : while for the second, or that which 

 includes V. cinereus, and which is distinguished from the pre- 

 ceding by having the tongue smooth and unarmed, the nares par- 

 tially covered with a membrane, and the tail feathers increased to 

 the number of fourteen, he has equally revived the old denomi- 



