350 



NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



The following are the proportions of four specimens, which will represent 

 their usual variations : 2.81 inches by 1.94 ; 2.75 by 1.87 ; 2.94 by 1.87 ; 

 2.62 by 1.94. These were from New Jersey, South Carolina, Louisiana, and 

 Tamaulipas (Mexico). The more common varieties have a ground of a 

 light cream-color, marked with large confluent spots of reddish-brown or 

 chocolate, chiefly predominating at the larger end, but also sparsely scattered 

 over the entire egg. Intermixed with these are less frequent markings of a 

 light purplish or lilac shade of drab. These are often so faint as only to be 

 perceptible on a close examination. An egg taken some years since in New 

 Jersey, by Alexander Wilson, and somewhat faded, is marked over the en- 

 tire shell with confluent spots of a dark greenish-brown, with no perceptible 

 shades of red or purple. Another variety from Cheraw, S. C, has a ground 

 of nearly pure white, is very nearly unspotted, and is only marked with a 

 few small dots and lines of red and indistinct purple at the larger end. 



Genus CATHARISTA, Vieillot. 



Catliarista, Vieill. 1816. (Type, Vultur atratus, Bartkam.) 

 C'oragypys, I. Geoffroy, 1854. 

 Cathartcs, AucT. (in part). 



Gen. Char. Size of Rhinogryphus, but more robust, with shorter wings, and very dif- 

 ferent flight. Wings with the remiges abbreviated, the primaries scarcely reaching to the 



middle of the tail. Tail even, or faintly emarginated. Head 

 and upper portion of the neck naked, the feathers extending 

 farther up behind than in front ; naked skin of the side of 

 the neck transversely corrugated; no bristles before the eye. 

 Nostril narrow, occupying only about the posterior half of 

 the nasal orifice, its anterior end contracted and acute. Cere 

 not contracted anteriorly, but the upper and lower outline 

 parallel ; much depressed, or broader than deep. Plumage 

 beginning gradually on the neck with normal, or broad and 

 rounded, feathers. Fourth or fifth quill longest ; outer five 

 with inner webs sinuated. Tarsus lono^er than middle toe. 



Catharista atrata. )4, nat. size. 



This well-marked genus is composed of a single species, which is confined 

 to the tropical and warm temperate portions of America. The difference 

 from the other Vultures which this bird exhibits in its habits, and especially 

 in its flight, is very striking, and furnishes additional characters distinctive 



of the genus. 



