286 LIFE-HISTORIES OF BIRDS 



elongated for the order, blunt, slightly curved, and rather 

 weak. In addition to the foregoing distinguishing external 

 characters, there are many osteological marks of separation. 

 The principal are, non-development of inferior larynx, large 

 crop-like gullet, extremely small caeca, and lack of after- 

 shaft in the feathers. 



In many essential particulars, our American Vultures are 

 different from those of the Old World, and should undoubt- 

 edly rank as a distinct family. They want the strength and 

 spirit of typical Raptores, seldom assailing resisting animals ; 

 they are greedy and indiscriminate gormandizers of animal 

 refuse of all kinds, and highly serviceable and efficient 

 scavengers. In their manner of feeding, they are uncleanly, 

 ill-scented from the nature of their food, and when annoyed, 

 eject the fetid contents of their crop. Their plumage is 

 sombre and not varied, altering but slightly. The sexes are 

 similarly colored. The Condor of the Andes, the King 

 Vulture, the three American species of Cathartcs, and one 

 or two South American analogues, constitute the members 

 of this family. 



Cathartes aura, Ittig. 



Few species, if any, have such a wide distribution in Amer- 

 ica, as the Red-headed Vulture. It is found more or less 

 abundantly from the Saskatchewan, throughout North Am- 

 erica, from the Atlantic to the Pacific coast, and in all portions 

 of South America as far south as the Strait of Magellan. 

 Individuals have been observed in Nova Scotia and New 

 Brunswick, though they are generally uncommon north of 

 Central New Jersey. From Eastern Maine, in the vicinity of 

 Calais, to Connecticut, in New England, specimens have 

 been occasionally captured. In a single instance, Mr. Law- 

 rence observed a small company of nine at Rockaway, Long 

 Island. West of the Alleghanies, from Central America 

 nearly to the Arctic regions, it occurs more abundantly. 

 Without exception, it is found more or less abundantly in all 



