164 VULTURINiE. 



to its last entire ring, while the bronchi are partly membranous. 

 The lateral muscles, which are large and of great breadth, so 

 as to cover the anterior surface, terminate in the sterno-trache- 

 ales, so that there are no inferior laryngeal muscles. In PI. 

 XIX, Fig. 1 represents the inferior portion of the trachea of 

 Cathartes Aura of the natural size, a b ; the bifurcation, b ; the 

 last entire ring, c c ; the ringed part of the bronchi, c d^ c d% 

 the membranous portion, d e^ d e\ the lateral or contractor 

 muscles, /"/, ending in the sterno-tracheales, g g. 



The sternum, Fig. 211, p. 169, as represented by that of Ca- 

 thartes Aura, has two notches on each side behind, the crest 

 more elevated in the middle but less so anteriorly than in the 

 Hawks. 



Eyes of moderate size, without projecting superciliary ridges. 

 Aperture of ears rather small and simple. Tarsus stout, bare, 

 shorter than the middle toe ; hind toe small ; second a little 

 shorter than the fourth ; claws large, moderately curved, acute, 

 or blunted by use. Plumage full, rather compact, the feathers 

 ovate, those on the neck lanceolate. Wings very long, broad, 

 with the third, fourth, and fifth quills longest ; tail of moderate 

 length. 



These birds inhabit the tropical and temperate regions of 

 both continents, seldom extending into the colder. Feeding 

 on animal substances of all kinds, they render important ser- 

 vice to the inhabitants of those countries, where putrefaction 

 takes place with great rapidity, for which reason they are fos- 

 tered in the neighbourhood of cities. Many of the larger 

 species, however, capture their prey in the manner of Eagles 

 and Hawks, although in general they are timid and compara- 

 tively inactive. Whether by smell or by sight, probably the 

 latter, they descry their prey at a great distance. They soar 

 to a vast height, sail in circles, and on ordinary occasions fly 

 with moderate rapidity. The smaller species are gregarious, 

 the larger solitary. They nestle on the ground, or in rocky 

 places, forming a rude bed for their eggs, which vary from two 

 to four. The young are at first covered with down, and remain 

 in the nest until fully fledged, being at first fed with animal 

 substances disgorged from the crops of their parents. 



