FAMILY CATHARTIDAE 



169 



western Venezuela), wing 432-454 (445), tail 195-218 (204), culmen 

 from cere 19.6-23.3 (21.5), tarsus 52.4-59.1 (56.9) mm. 



Females (7 from Panama, Colombia, and northwestern Venezuela), 

 wing 444-459 (449), tail 193-214 (199), culmen from cere 21.1-24.0 

 (22.5, average of 6) , tarsus 56.0-60.0 (57.9) mm. 



Resident. Locally common, on the Pacific slope, from Chiriqui 

 through Veraguas and Code to the eastern section of the Province 

 of Panama, including the eastern side of the Azuero Peninsula in 

 Herrera and Los Santos. 



Fig. 34. — Head of yellow-headed vulture, guala, Cathartes hurrovianns burro- 

 vianus, with wartlike papillae on the neck. 



This species is found in more open areas near the largest streams, 

 and near marshes, particularly during the dry season. In the period 

 of rains it spreads with the greater extent of the open swampy areas 

 that form its haunts. 



When seen near at hand it may be known by the extensive yellow 

 on the sides of the head and neck, while in the hand the prominent 

 papillae on the neck, in addition to the head colors mentioned, identify 

 it readily. In flight at any distance, when the colors are not visible, 

 it may not be distinguished from the other species. For a time I 

 thought that these birds were lighter colored on the underside of the 

 wing, but this has proved to be a variable matter in both species. 



