554 CLASS xvi. 



subequal, longest of all. Tail moderate, rounded. Tarsi moderate, 

 strong, plumed below the heel, elsewhere reticulate, with scales 

 large, hexagonal. 



Sp. GrypoJiierax angolensis RUEPPELL, Falco angolensis GM., GRAY Gen. 

 PI. IV. ; white, base of the tail and a large portion of the wings black. This 

 bird, rare and still little known, is a native of the western part of tropical 

 Africa, and has been brought alive to Europe within the last few years. 



Vultur L. (in part), ILLIG., TEMM. Bill moderate, thick, higher 

 than broad, hooked at the tip; lower mandible shorter, obtuse at 

 the tip. Nostrils placed in the cere, naked, vertical. Head and 

 upper part of neck naked or covered with down. Wings long, 

 with third and fourth quills subequal, fourth longest of all. Tail 

 moderate, rounded. Tarsi strong, reticulate with small scales. 



The vultures live principally on carrion ; they diffuse a disgusting smell. 

 The species of this genus all belong to the warm countries of the old world. 



Sub-genera. Gryps SAV., GRAY, Otogyps GRAY and ^Egypius SAV. (Vultur 

 GRAY). 



*t* Tail with twelve feathers. 



Sp. Vultur monachus L., Vultur cinereus GM.,JPultur arrianus TEMM., BUFF. 

 PI. enl. 425, NAUM. Taf. i, SUSEM. Vog. Eur. Taf. i ; Southern Europe, 

 Egypt. 



ft Tail with fourteen feathers. 



Sp. Vultur fulvus BRISS., GMEL., Vultur leucocepJialus MEYER, BUFF. PI. 

 enl. 426, Cuv. R. Ani., ed. ill., Ois. PI. 7, fig. 4, NAUM. Taf. 2, SUSEM. 

 PI. 2, 3, 3 a; from the South East of Europe, Asia Minor, &c. 



Percnopterus Cuv., Neophron SAVIGNY. (Species of Vultur L.) 

 Bill a little longer than head, slender, with culmen gibbous at the 

 base, with tip hooked. Cere produced beyond half of the bill. 

 Face naked. Nostrils horizontal (parallel to the margin of mandi- 

 ble). Wings with third quill longest of all. Tail moderate, cuneate. 

 Tarsi reticulate. 



Sp. Percnopterus veterum, Vultur percnopterus, L., BUFF. PI. enl. 427, 429, 

 LESS. Ornith. PL 6, fig. i, NAUM. Taf. 3, SUSEM. Taf. 4 ; white, the flag- 

 feathers black; young bird coloured brown. This bird lives in Africa, 

 Asia and the South of Europe. Since it consumes carrion it is of great 

 benefit in warm countries, and was honoured by the Egyptians ; it is often 

 seen figured on their monuments; Percnopterus niger LESS., Cathartes 

 monachus TEMM. PL col. 222 ; from West and South Africa. 



Cathartes ILLIG. Bill moderate, with tip arched, strong. Cere 

 large; nostrils pervious, horizontal, naked, placed in cere. Wings 



i 



