22 Synopsis of the Birds 



FAMILY I. VULTUR1NI. 



Vuliurini, 111. Vieill. Latr. Accipitres diurni, Cuv. 



Rapaces diurni, Ranz. 



Head and part of the neck naked, former often carun di- 

 late ; generally a collar of feathers round the neck. Eyes 

 not sunk deep. Crop prominent, naked or woolly. Feet 

 naked ; tarsus shorter than the middle toe ; outer toes connect- 

 ed at base by a membrane ; nails not much incurved, rather 

 obtuse, hardly retractile. Wings elongated, subacuminate. 



Young with the head entirely covered with down. 



Gregarious ; cowardly ; voracious ; feed on carcasses and 

 filth, very serviceable in hot climates, and protected by law 

 in the cities of the southern states : sometimes prey upon 

 small living animals, reptiles, and birds' eggs. Diffuse a 

 disagreeable odour. Lay but two eggs. Disgorge food from 

 the crop to feed their young. 



1. CATHARTES. 



Vultur, L. Briss. Gm. Lath. Cuv. Sarcoramphus, Dumeril. 



Neophron, Savigny. Cathartes, 111. Temm. Ranz. 

 Vultur, Gijpagus, Catharista, Vieill. 



Bill elongated, straight at base ; upper mandible covered 

 to the middle by the cere ; nostrils medial, approximate, oval, 

 pervious, naked ; tongue canaliculate, edges serrate. Heap 

 elongated, depressed, rugose. Tarsus rather slender ; lateral 

 toes equal; middle one much the longest; inner free; hind 

 toe shortest. First primary rather short ; third and fourth 

 longest. 



Inhabit both continents. 



SUBGENUS CATHARTES. 



Bill robust : tail of twelve feathers. Peculiar to America. 



1. Cathartes californiantjs, Ranz. Blackish; feathers of the 

 collar and breast lanceolate ; wings reaching much beyond 

 the tail. 



Vultur calif ornianus, Lath. Cathartes vulturinus, Temm. 



