552 VULTURID A. 
outer angle of the proximal end of the coracoid is pro- 
duced in the same degree and form, and a similar intermus- 
cular ridge is present on the anterior and towards the outer 
part of the coracoid. The preserved extremities of the femur 
and tibia have the same conformation and nearly the same 
relative size in the fossil as in the existing Cathartes. In 
this genus, nevertheless, there is a deeper depression on 
the outer surface of the sternum external to the coracoid 
groove than in the fossil; but this difference is less marked 
in some of the large Vulturide. The vertebra, the shaft 
of the coracoid, and the preserved portions of sternal 
ribs, are relatively more slender. The fossil, moreover, 
indicates a smaller species of bird than is known amongst 
the existing Vulturide. 
The anterior or inner wall of the coracoid groove is 
broader, the anterior angular process narrower, and the body 
of the sternum more convex, than in the Heron or Bittern ; 
and the proximal end of the coracoid has a different form 
in the fossil. In the Sea-Gull the keel rises from a more 
curved surface of the sternum than in the fossil; the 
inner wall of the coracoid goove is broader ; and the outer 
angle of the sternal end of the coracoid has a different 
form and position. I regret that I have not yet had the 
opportunity of comparing with this interesting specimen 
the skeleton of the small European Neophron, (Vultur 
percnopterus, Linn.;) but, in the meanwhile, I deem it 
best to retain the subgeneric distinctive appellation origi- 
nally proposed for the eocene species of bird represented 
by the present very remarkable Hunterian fossil. 
