350 



NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



Tlie following are the proportions of four specimens, which will represent 

 their usual variations : 2.81 inches by 1.94 ; 2.75 by 1.87 ; 2.94 by 1.87 ; 

 2.(32 by 1.94. These were from New Jersey, South Carolina, Louisiana, and 

 Tamaulipas (Mexico). The more conuiKin varieties liave a ground of a 

 light cream-color, marked with large continent spots of reddi-sh-brown or 

 chocolate, chiefly predominating at the larger end, but also sjiarsely scattered 

 over tlie entire egg. Intermixed with these are less frequent markings of a 

 liglit purplish or lilac shade of drab. These are oiten so faint as only to be 

 perceptible on a close examination. An egg taken some j^ears since in Xew 

 Jersey, by Alexander Wilson, and somewhat faded, is marked over the en- 

 tire shell with confluent spots of a dark greenish-brown, with no perceptilile 

 shades of red or purple. Another variety from Cheraw, S. C, has a ground 

 of nearly pure white, is very nearly unspotted, and is only niarked with a 

 few small dots and lines of red and indistinct purple at the larger end. 



Genus CATHARISTA, \'ieillot. 



Catharistn, Vieill. 1816. (Type, Vultar atralus, B.mxu.i.M. ) 

 Corarjiipys, I. Geoffeoy, 18,54. 

 Catliarles, AucT. (in part). 



GrEN. CnAR. Size of Rhinogryphus, but more robust, with shorter wings, and very dif- 

 ferent flight. Wings witli the remiges abbreviated, the primaries .scarcely reaching to the 

 middle of the tail. Tail even, or faintly emarginated. Head 

 and upper portion of the neck naked, the feathers extending 

 farther up heliind than in front ; naked skin of the side of 

 tlie neck transversely corrugated ; no bristles before the eye. 

 Nostril narrow, occupying only about the posterior half of 

 tlie nasal orifice, its anterior end contracted and acute. Cere 

 not contracted anteriorly, but the upper and lower outline 

 parallel : much depressed, or broader than deep. Plumage 

 beginning gradually on the neck with normal, or broad and 

 rounded, feathers. Fourth or fifth quill longest ; outer five 

 with inner webs sinuated. Tarsus longer than middle toe. 



Cntharhtfi atrata. }^ nat. size. 



This well-marked genus is composed of a single .species, which is confined 

 to the tropical and warm temperate portions of America. The ditterence 

 from the other Vultures which this bird exhibits in its habits, and especially 

 in its flight, is very striking, and furnishes additional characters distinctive 

 of the genus. 



