﻿440 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM vol. lOO 



This small duck was common on certain overgrown savanna ponds, 

 often in flocks of 10 to 30 birds. They were not generally seen, but 

 when the collector waded through the heavy growths of water plants 

 in search of other birds they would flush much in the manner of quail, 

 flying a short distance before dropping back into cover. 



A catlike mewing sound, heard very clearly as one entered the 

 vegetation, apparently belonged to this species; the collector did 

 not recognize it as belonging to any other bird in that habitat. 



Family CATHARTIDAE: New World Vultures 



CORAGYPS ATRATUS (Bechstein) 



Vultur atratus Bechstein, in Latham, Allgemeine Uebersicht der Vogel, vol. 1, 

 1793, Anhang, p. 655 (Florida, ex Bartram). 



SPECIMEN COLLECTED 



1 9 , Cantaura, September 28, 1947; gonads very small; iris brown, bill black, 

 head skin dull blue-black. Partial specimen (one wing and one foot missing), 

 in very abraded plumage. 



The material studied does not substantiate the distinctness of the 

 South American race C. a.joetens (Lichtenstein) . 



This was the common vulture of the area, in favorite localities found 

 in flocks of up to 100 individuals when assembled to feed on some 

 dead animal. It was common in all types of habitat, although it 

 preferred edge habitats to heavy woods or open savanna. 



A downy chick, found at Cantaura on August 15 when perhaps two 

 weeks old, was raised by the collector on dead lizards and fresh meat. 

 It developed apparently normally, and by September 19 its wings 

 were fairly well feathered out and the rectrices were beginning to 

 appear. By October 1, although its down was still apparent, the bird 

 was almost fully feathered and would run and hop about, flapping 

 its wings vigorously. By October 20 the bird could fly a little and 

 was then in full plumage, except that the tail was still a little short 

 and a tiny bit of down clung to the breast feathers. About three 

 months were required from hatching to the stage where it could fly 

 a little. Although in the wild state the young might at that age be 

 forced to fend for themselves, it was not until approximately six 

 weeks later that the captured bird appeared ready to take care of itself. 

 At first the chick uttered snakelike hisses, but later the food-begging 

 note changed to a harsh wahnk-waahnk accompanied by much wing- 

 flapping. The young vulture had considerable mucus in its nostrils 

 and mouth; often the bill was wet with it — apparently a natural condi- 

 tion that disappeared as the bird got older. 



The coUector has had many wild birds for pets, including hawks 

 and owls, but this vulture, ridiculous as it may seem, was by all odds 

 the most devoted pet he ever had. Even when it was not hungry it 



