inhabiting the South of Africa. 11 
sent even form the slightest conception. The study of nature, as 
a popular author* remarks, even when viewed apart from science, 
*“is one of the most pleasing occupations that can engage the 
attention of reasonable beings. The naturalist reflects upon 
hidden things, investigates by comparison, and testifies by 
experience. Perhaps none of the amusements of human life 
are more satisfactory than the investigation and survey of the 
workings and ways of Providence in this created world of 
wonders, filled with his never absent power. The study of 
nature occupies and elevates the mind, is inexhaustible in 
supply, and, while it furnishes meditation for the closet of 
the studious, gives to the reflections of moralizing ramblers 
admiration and delight, and is an engaging companion that 
will communicate an interest to every rural walk.” Such 
then entitles the birds of South Africa as a portion of the 
grand system to a share of our consideration, and to them I 
shall now proceed. 
Ordo I. RAPTORES. Ill. 
Fam. VvuLtTurRIpD&. 
Caput collum que plus minusve nuda; rostrum precipue forte, 
adapicem aduncum basé lati cerigerum glabrum aut pilorum, 
simplex aut carunculatum, nares laterales in ceromate posite, 
ovales, interdum, elongate, plerumque aperte; pedes nude ; 
tarsi reticulati. Digiti externi membrano connexi. Ungues 
validi subincurvi vie retractiles. 
Head and neck more or less divested of feathers ; bill very 
strong, hooked at the point, and with a broad cere at the 
base, which is either bald or hairy, simple or carunculated ; 
nostrils lateral, situated in the cere, sometimes elongated, for 
the most part open; feet naked ; tarsireticulated ; outer toes 
connected by membrane; claws strong, slightly curved, and 
scarcely retractile. 
Genus. VULTUR. Auect. 
Caput collum que implumes; || Head and neck naked; beak 
rostrum basi rectum, supra | straight at the base; convex 
conveaum, haud carunculatum. | above and without caruncles. 
Nares_ transverse, basales; | Nostrils transverse and basal ; 
pedes fortes. | feet strong. 
1. Vuitur Frutvus.— White Assvogel of the Colonists. 
Vultur fulvus Gimel. Syst. 1, p. 249, sp. 11.—Vultur Leuco- 
cephalus Meyer Tasschenb Deut. v. 1, p. 7.—Vultur percnop- 
terus Daud. Ois, v. 2, p. 18, sp. 7.—V. trencalos, Bech. 
Naturg Deut. v. 2, p. 479, sp. 2.—Le Perenoptere Buff. Ois, 
* The Journal of a Naturalist, page 51. 
B 2 [3] 
