43 



racters veiy probably sufficient to constitute specific distinction. 

 It is apparently, or as far as can be ascertained from prepared 

 specimens, a more slender bird, and larger in all its measiu'e- 

 ments; this last character is particularly applicable to the 

 wings." In addition to the continental localities above referred 

 to, the Aiu-a Vidture is also found in Ten-a del Fuego and in 

 the Falkland Islands ; it likewise inhabits the Islands of Cuba 

 and Jamaica, and one specimen is recorded as having been 

 obtained in the Island of Bermuda. A Vultui-e, which appears to 

 resemble the Aura, has been observed in the Islands of St. Do- 

 mingo, Dominica, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and Trinidad ; but it re- 

 quires further investigation to determine whether the Vultures of 

 these Islands really belong to this species, to its congener the 

 Cathartes urubitingaj or, as is stated on the authority of 

 M. Eicord, in "Lesson's Complement aux oeuvres de Bufibn," 

 to a third species distinct from and decidedly larger than either 

 C. aura or C. uruhitinga. It is said that the Vultm-es in the 

 Island of St. Domingo are only foimd in the Spanish portion 

 of the island. Should this prove to be the fact, it would 

 probably indicate that they are descended from individuals 

 artificially introduced at some former period into that 

 part of the island. The Aura Vulture feeds on carcases 

 and carrion, and is particularly attracted by dead seals 

 and similar objects occurring upon some parts of the sea 

 coast. It also attacks newly-born lambs, pigs, and other 

 animals, as well as full-grown animals of all descriptions 

 when rendered incapable of defence by sickness or wounds. 

 It likewise preys on the eggs and young of various 

 species of water-birds, especially the smaller herons, and in 

 addition to this it "sometimes devours rats and young chickens, 

 as well as small snakes and other reptiles, and the eggs of 

 alligators and river tortoises, which it scratches up from the 

 sandbanks in which they are deposited. The Aura fui'ther 

 varies its diet by occasionally feeding uj^on insects, and, when 

 near the coast, upon shell-fish also. These Vultures coUect 



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