184.9.] 161 



feathers on the neck, instead of forming a pcrlcctly circular, or nng-like rati, as 



in C. aura, in the present species, extend decidedly upwards on the back of the 



neck ; in the specimen here alluded to, almoit to the occiput. The following are 



the measurements of the two species. 



C. aura, ( Linn,,' C. Burmviiiniis, Caesin . 



Total length from tip of bill to end of tail 



(mounted specimens), 30 inches. 

 Wing from flexure to tip of 



longest primary, 23 " 



Tail, 12 " 



Tarsus, 2| « 



Bill from gap direct to tip 2i " 



6. Catkartes jota, {MoVina.) 



I am not without suspicion that the bird described by the Abbe Molina, in Es- 

 say on the Natural History of Chili, p. 245, (M. Gruvel's French translation,) is 

 not the same as the Vultur atratus, Burtram, Travels, p. 289. 



There are in the collection of the Academy three specimens which are clearly 

 the latter, being the same birds given by Wilson and Audubon ; one of these w'as 

 presented by Mr. Audubon, another was obtained in Florida, and presented by Dr. 

 McEuen ; the third belongs to the Rivoli collection, but there is a fourth speci- 

 men w-hich is materially different. It belongs to the Rivoli collection and 

 is without label. 



This last specimen is not only much smaller than the former, but it has the head 

 quite smooth and not carunculated or rugose, as in the common species of North 

 America. In fact its head resembles that of the C. aura, (Linn.,) more than it does 

 the C. atratus, (Bart.,) and is covered by such a comparatively clear and smooth 

 skin that I can readily suppose it to be coloured in the living bird, which would 

 be strictly as described by the Abbe Molina, or at least as his French translator 

 says for him, p. 246, " sa tete est sans plumes, couverte d^une peau ridee de 

 couleur ro/tsse." Mr. Audubon, Orn. Biog. ii., p. 52, describes his bird as "the 

 head having a hlach, rugose, carunculated skin, sparsely covered with short hairs 

 and downy behind," which is precisely the case in the three specimens alluded to, 

 but I quote Mr. Audubon's description, because he, as well as the Abbe Molina, 

 probably described from recent specimens. 



The one specimen here alluded to is as above stated smaller than either of the 

 others, as will appear by the following measurements. 



Mr. Audubon's specimen. Smaller Bpecimen. 

 Total length from tip of bill to end of tail 25 inches 19i 



Wing from the flexure to tip of longest primary 17 " 15i 



Tan 7^ " 7 



7. The family Vulturidac has been arranged apparently in a manner only pro- 

 visional according to the Natural System, by Mr. Swiinson, Lardner's Cab. Cy. 

 Birds, i. p. 280, and ii. p. 205. 



Notwithstanding such high authority as Mr. Swainson, I am disposed to think 

 the Gypinae (of my catalogue) the subtypical group, and the Sarcoramphinae 

 appear to me to present characters sufficient to warrant the conclusion that they 

 are the true Rasorial Vultures. 



In confirmation of my opinion of the Sarcoramphinae, I may refer to the well 



23 



