ACC1PITRES. 119 



protuberance above the fourchette, a fetid humour flows from their nostrils, 

 and they are almost reduced to a state of stupid insensibility. 



Vult. gryphus, Lin. (The Condor.) Blackish ; a great part of the wing 

 ash coloured ; collar, silky and white ; the male, in addition to his superior 

 caruncle, which is large and entire, has another under the beak, like the cock. 

 This species has been rendered famous by exaggerated reports of its size ; it is> 

 however, but a little larger than the Icemmer-geyer, to which it assimilates in 

 habits. It is found in the most elevated mountains of the Andes, in South 

 America, and flies higher than any other bird. 



The genus Vultur is now divided into vultur proper, cathartes (our Turkey 

 buzzard), percnopterus (the Urubu or carrion crow of the south), and gypactos, 

 to which last belongs the Isemmer-geyer, the largest bird of prey in the eastern 

 continent. 



FALCO, Linnceus. 



The falcons form the second, and by far most numerous division of the 

 diurnal birds of prey. Their head and neck are covered 

 with feathers ; their eyebrows project, which occasions 

 the eye to appear sunk, and gives to their physiognomy 

 a character very different from that of the vultures: the 

 greater number prey on living animals, but they differ 

 in the courage with which they pursue it Their first 

 plumage is often very differently coloured from that of 

 the adult, which is only assumed in their third or fourth year, a circumstance 

 which has occasioned a great multiplication of species. The female is generally 

 one third larger than the male, which, on this account, is styled a tarsel or 

 tercel. We should, first of all, subdivide this genus into two great sections. 



NOBLE BIRDS OF PREY. 



FALCONS, properly so called. 



THE true falcons constitute the first, and, in proportion to their size, are the 

 most courageous ; a quality which is derived from the power of their arms and 

 wings ; their beak, curved from its base, has a sharp tooth on each side of its 

 point, and the second quill of their wings is the longest, the first nearly 

 equalling it, which renders the whole wing longer and more pointed. From 

 this, also, result peculiar habits: the length of the quills of their wings 

 diminishes their vertical power, and compels them, in a calm state of the 

 atmosphere, to fly obliquely forwards, so that when they wish to rise directly 

 upwards, they are obliged to fly against the wind. 



f. communis, Gm. (The Common Falcon.) As large as a hen, and 

 distinguished by a triangular, black moustache on the cheek, larger than 

 that of any other species of the genus ; it varies as to colours according to 

 its age. 



It is this celebrated species which has given its name to that kind of hunting 

 in which birds of prey are used. It inhabits the whole of the northern regions, 

 and builds in the most elevated and inaccessible cliffs. 



