S80 Mr. Vigors's Sketches in Ornithology, 



the general conformation becomes more feeble. This group, which 

 belongs to the Old World, forms the genus 



Neophron, Sav., 

 and is distinguished by the comparative weakness of the bill and 

 legs, particularly of the former, the under mandible of which 

 curves downwards, and exhibits no traces of the strong gonys 

 which adds so much to the powers of the bill of the typical 

 Vultures. In these respects the bill has a striking analogy to 

 that of the Tachypetes and others of the oceanick birds whose 

 manners are raptorial. The nares are oval, lengthened, and 

 longitudinal; the third quill feather is the longest; and the 

 number of the tail feathers amounts to fourteen. The tail itself is 

 nearly cuneiform. The Vultur percnopterus^ Linn., known as an 

 European bird, but still more familiar to us as an inhabitant of 

 Egypt from the descriptions of M. Savigay and Mr. Bruce, is the 

 type of this interesting form. 



There is a greater difference between the typical species of 

 this last genus and the present group, than between any other di- 

 visions of the family. Some species, however, which have latterly 

 been added to Gypaetus^ seem to fill up the interval ; being inter- 

 mediate between the strength of that genus and the weaker con- 

 formation of Neophron. Tlie Falco Vulturinus^ Daud., in par- 

 ticular, which M. Temminck refers to Gypaetus, seems at once 

 to unite the two groups : possessing, as far as can be judged from 

 a figure, the plumed head and neck of the one, and the weak 

 and lengthened bill of the other. The tarsi also, feathered half 

 way down, point out the passage between the plumed and naked 

 tarsi that respectively characterize these genera. 



Next in affinity to Neophron is a group which seemS to supply 

 ks place in the New Continent, the genus 



Catiiartes, III.* 



which possesses a corresponding weakness of the bill and legs„ 

 and a similar construction of the wing. But the neck is more 



* This genus corresponds with the Catharista o? M. Vieillot. I have felt 

 some hesitation in preferring the name of M. lUigcr to that of the latter natu- 



