RAPACIOUS BIRDS. 



In all species of rapacious birds the female is the largest 

 and most powerful, while the reverse is the case in the 

 other orders. 



I. Family Vultukid^. — Vultures. 



This family is spread over the whole temperate and trop- 

 ical parts of the earth, but the number of species is limited 

 to about twenty. The generic characteristics are: Bill 

 strong, rather over the medium length, strongly hooked; 

 claws moderately large, slightly curved ; anterior toes con- 

 nected at the base by a web; wings very long; plumage 

 full; head and neck generally naked, with or without 

 caruncles. All feed on dead animals, and if putrescent, all 

 the better. 



Genus Cathartes, llliger. — Turkey Vultures. 



Head and upper part of neck naked, or thinly covered 

 with down; skin of the head wrinkled; bill of moderate 

 length, rather slender, straight, and curved at the end; 

 nostrils, large, oblong, open, without protection; head 

 oblong; wings long, the third and fourth primary feathers 

 being generally the longest; tail of moderate length, with 

 twelve feathers; legs and feet strong, of moderate size, 

 covered with scales; claws strong and arched, middle toe 

 long, hind one very short. 



To this genus belong the two species of Vultures which 

 inhabit Ohio. 



1. Cathartes Aura, Linn. — Turkey Buzzard. 

 Wilson's Amer. Orn., IX., pi. 75, fig. 1; Audubon's B. of 

 Am., Oct. ed., I., pi. 2. 

 Plumage brownish black, darker on the neck and upper 



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