700 SYSTEM A TIC SYNOPSIS. — RAP TORES — CA THA R TIDES. 



in May in most latitudes, through June in the North, and from Fehruary to April in the South, 

 2 or usually 3, seldom 4, in number, very variable in size, say 2.50 X 1-85 on an average, 

 ranging frt)m 2.75 X 2.00 to 2.25 X 1.05, running through all the variations in color common 

 to Hawks' eggs, from a white to creamy, tawny or reddish ground, from few brownish mark- 

 ings to heaviest blotching with sienna, unibre, bistre, and sepia ; coloration usually richly red- 

 dish or mahogany. Some nests grow to be 6 or 8 feet in diameter, and as much in depth, and 

 smaller birds, such as Grackles, frequently build theirs in the interstices of the mass without 

 molestation from the bird of prey. This certainly proves the amiability of the Osprey ; and 

 the same association of birds raptorial and non-raptorial is witnessed in the West in the case 

 of Swainson's Buzzard, in the same tree with the nest of which, even in the substance of the 

 nest itself, have various small birds, such as the Arkansas Flycatcher, Hooded Oriole, and 

 Burion, been observed domiciled. 



Suborder CATHARTIDES: American Vultures. 



(Or SARCORHAMPHI.) 



As already stated (page 618), the characters of this group, for which I proposed the above 

 name (New England Bird Life, vol. ii, p. 135), are of more than family value. The same 

 subordinal rank is recognized by the name of Sarcorhamphi in the A. 0. U. List. In no 

 event have these birds anything to do with Old World Vultures, which scarcely form a sub- 

 family apart from other FalconidcR. In a certain sense they represent the gallinaceous type 

 of structure ; our species of Cathartes, for instance, bears a curious superficial resemblance to 

 a Turkey. They lack the strength and spirit of typical Raptores, and rarely attack animala 

 capable of offering resistance ; they are voracious and indiscriminate gormandizers of carrion 

 and animal refuse of all sorts — efficient and almost indispensable scavengers in warm coun- 

 tries where they abound. They are uncleanly in their mode of feeding ; the nature of their 

 food renders them ill-scented, and when disturbed they eject the foetid contents of the crop. 

 Although not truly gregarious, they assemble in multitudes where food is plentiful, and some 

 species breed in communities. When gorged, they appear heavy and indisposed to exertion, 

 usually passing the period of digestion motionless, in a listless attitude, with wings half-spread. 

 But they spend umch time on wing, circling high in the air ; their flight is easy and graceful 

 in the extreme, capable of being indefinitely protracted. On the ground they habitually M^alk 

 instead of progressing by leaps. Possessing no vocal apparatus, these Vultures are almost 

 mute, emitting only a weak hissing sound. 



Family CATHARTID^ : American Vultures. 



(Or SARCORHAMPHID^.) 



See page 618. Head and part of neck more or less completely bare of feathers, sometimes 

 caruncular ; eyes flush with side of head, not overshadowed by a superciliary siiield ; ears small 

 and simple. Bill lengthened, contracted toward base, moderately hooked and comparatively 

 weak. Nostrils very large, completely perforated, through lack of bony septum. Wings very 

 long, ample, and strong ; tail moderate. Anterior toes long for this order, webbed at base ; 

 hind toe elevated, very short ; claws comparatively lengthened, obtuse, little curved and weak. 

 To these external characters, which distinguish our Vultures, I may add that there are nu- 

 merous osteological peculiarities. No lower larynx is developed ; the capacious gullet dilates 

 into an immense crop ; coeca wanting ; carotids double. The feathers lack aftershafts ; plu- 

 mage sombre and unvaried, its changes slight ; sexes alike in plumage ; 9 "ot larger than $. 

 The famous Condor of the Andes, Sarcorliamphus gryphus ; the King Vulture, Gypagus or 



