inhabiting the SoiUh of Africa. 15 



with a fine, short, white down, which never leaves the breast 

 and belly. 



This species builds its nest sometimes in trees, and at other 

 times in rocks, lays one or two eggs, and that in the months 

 of October or November. It occurs throughout the whole of 

 South Africa,but much less abundantly than the last described; 

 and though considerably superior in size to it, is, neverthe- 

 less, inferior in point of courage and strength. It is often 

 seen where carrion exists, yet rarely ventures to approach 

 thereto, till those of the other species have deserted it, which 

 happens only when they are satiated, or the flesh becomes 

 putrid and very scanty. 



3. VULTUR OCCIPITALIS. BuTchel* 



Corpus supra fusco nigrum subtus album. Caput lanugine 

 alba tectum occipitali reversa. Colli pars superior nuda poste- 

 rior plumis patentibus nigris et anterior depressis brevissimis 

 albis tectce. Remiges rectrices que nigrce ; rachidibus supra 

 nigris subtus albis. Tibice (femora) plumis albis dense vestitce 

 rostrum et pedes incarnata. Orbita denudata colli pars et cera 

 alba, ungues nigri. Lingua brevis Integra apice rotundata 

 basi sagittata laciniata. 



Bill and feet flesh coloured ; bare part round the eyes 

 white ; irides of the color of burnt umber ; top of the head 

 covered with a white feathery wool, which, at the back part, 

 is longer and stands in a reversed position. Color above 

 blackish brown, but the thighs, and under parts of the body 

 and neck are white ; quill feathers, and those of the tail black. 

 The part of the neck which is bare, together with the base of 

 the beak, white ; the expanse of the wing is seven feet. 



A Vulture of a different species to either of the two first 

 described, is not unfrequently met with in the northern and 

 eastern parts of the colony, and though I have often seen ex- 

 amples thereof, yet I have never been able to procure one for 

 examination. From the description of the species procured 

 by Burchelf in the Bechuana country, I am inclined to be- 

 lieve it is identical with the one under consideration, and, 

 from the lack of a more detailed description, I have introduced 

 his mostly in his own words. Were I satisfied that the species 

 to which Burchel's trivial name is applied by Eupell,^ was 

 the same, I should have no difficulty in supplying from the 

 description of the latter, whatever might be wanting in that 

 of the former. But, as the reverse is the case, I shall, until 

 such time as I have an opportunity of comparing the characters 

 of the South African species, consider the two as distinct. 



* Burchel's Travels in South Africa, vol. 2, page 329. 

 f Ib. 



j Atlas zu fler Reise im Nordlichen Afrika von Eduard Eupell, erste Abthei- 

 lung Zoologie, page 33, tal. 22. 



[7] 



