FALCONID^^ 



7. Gyps Vulgaris. (Sav.) RUpp. Atlas, t. 32 ; Vul- 

 tur Kolbii, Cretzschen, nee Daud. ; V. Hiippeli, Natt. 

 Mus. Vidob ; V. Fulmis Eiippeli, Schleg., Strickl- 

 Orn. Syn.. p. 10 ; Gurney, Ibis., 1860, p. 206. 



Plumage more or less of a dark-brown, each feather largely 

 bordered with white or light fulvous ; bill yellowish. Size 

 of O. Fulvus. 



This species is not known to me as an inhabitant of the colony, 

 though doubtless it may be found to the Eastward. It is said to occur 

 at Natal but rarely. 



The Second Family, 



FALCONIDiE, or Falcons. 



have the bill partly covered at the base by a cere, compressed 

 on the sides, and the culmen curved from the cere to the 

 tip, which is hooked and acute ; the lateral margins either 

 toothed or festooned ; the wings long and pointed ; the tail 

 moderate and broad ; the tarsi and toes of various lengths 

 and strong, and the claws long, curved, and acute, espe- 

 cially those of the inner and hind toes. The head and neck 

 are covered with feathers, and the eyes placed laterally, 

 deeply sunk, and protected by a horny brow. 



The Sub-Family, 



BUTEONIN^, or Buzzards, 



have the bill short, broad at the base, with the culmen much 

 curved to the tip, which is acute, and the lateral margins 

 festooned ; the cere covering more than the basal half of the 

 bill ; the wings long, with the third and fourth quills gene- 

 rally the longest ; the tarsi lengthened, generally naked, 

 and covered both in front and behind with broad transverse 

 scales ; and the toes, including the hind one, rather short. 



Genus BUTEO, Cuvier. 

 Bill short, broad at the base, laterally compressed at the 

 tip, with the culmen much curved from the base, which is 

 broad and rather flattened above, the lateral margins fes- 

 tooned ; the nostrils large, oval, and the lores clothed with 

 hairy feathers. Wings very long, with the third and fourth 

 quills the longest, and the inner and outer webs of some of 

 the quills obliquely notched. Tail moderate, and even at its 

 end. Tarsi lengthened, naked, covered with transverse 

 scales before and behind ; but at the apex and on the sides 



