VULTURID.E. 15 



FAMILY I. 



YuLTURiD^. The Vultures. 



Geneeal Chakactehistics. — Beak somewhat lengthened; upper mandible 

 nearly straight, curved at the point only ; head and neck in a greater or less 

 de'gree naked, or clothed only with a thin down ; talons comparatively weak. 

 Food exclusively the flesh of dead animals. 



The birds belonging to tliis widely distributed 

 family present considerable diversity in their habits, 

 as well as in their general conformation. Some 

 differ from the rest of the vulturine race, by having 

 their head and neck completely clothed with feathers; 

 thus combining, to a certain extent, the habits of 

 the Vulture with the garb of the Eagle. The 

 American Vultures are remarkable for the posses- 

 sion of fleshy appendages, that surmount the base 

 of their beak, and give a very distinctive character 

 to their physiognomy. It is to the true Vultures 

 only — the types of the family — that the above 

 general description is strictly applicable ; from which 

 the rest are more or less aberrant. 



Equally diversified are their modes of life. In 



teristic of the group which it typifies. If, for example, the zoologist 

 is asked to select a species which shall be the type or exemplar of 

 Birds generally, he will, in all probability, point to the Crow, as 

 possessing in a medium degree of perfection the qualities belonging 

 to all races of Birds concentrated in itself. It is true that it 

 cannot soar so high as the Eagle, or fly with the swiftness of the 

 Swallow ; but it can fly very well, and with moderate rapidity. It 

 does not run with the fleetness of an Ostrich, or hop with the 

 vivacity of many of the smaller birds ; but it can both walk and hop, 

 when it thinks proper, with considerable alacrity. It is not a 

 wading bird, but it has no objection to wade into the water either 

 of the marsh or of the sea-shore, in search of food. It is equally at 

 home when perched upon a tree, and feeds indiscriaiinately upon 

 all sorts of substances, whether animal or vegetable; thus com- 

 bining the characteristics of all the feathered races. 



In the same way the Vulture is selected as the type of the 

 Rapacious Birds. It is not the monarch of the sky, but its powers 

 of flight are very respectable ; and although it is too weak to do 

 battle with animals possessed of much strength, it will never- 

 theless kill and devour such feeble game as its cowardice permits 

 it to attack. 



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