Order 1. 



ACCIPITRES. 



153 



The Fulvous Vulture (F. fulvus, 

 Gni.) is the most widely-diffused spe- 

 cies, inhabiting the mountainous parts 

 of the whole ancient continent. Its 

 boa> surpasses in size that of a Swan 

 [possibly in the instance of some fe- 

 males. This bird has been errone- 

 ously stated to have fourteen tail- 

 featners.* The greater number of the 

 genus possess similar characters.] 



The Dusky Vulture (K cinereus, 

 (im.) — As widely distributed as the 

 preceding [but less numerously], and 

 still larger: it frequently attacks liv- 

 iiift- animals. [This species exemplifies 

 the subgenus Gyps of Savigny : hav- 

 ing me beak more sharply pointed, 

 llie nostrils almost round, and the 

 lioad partially clothed with feathers. 

 The Vultures generally, indeed, have 

 the head and neck feathered when 

 voting, like the Turkey and other 

 bii-ds which hav2 bald heads in a state 

 ot maturity : the immature V. Ango- 

 lensis, Gm., is doubtfully figured by 

 Bennett as a species of Caracara {Po- 

 lybonis? kypoleucos) ; but the adults 



Fiir. 73—1, hind margin of tile sternum of » true Vulture— 2, ditto, of Neophron— 3, ditto, of of that species continue tO have thOSe 

 Cathnrtes iiurri — t, ditto, of C Culi/ornitmus, the foramina of wtiich have Decums obliterated . . ^ T 



— 5, ditto, of atiother presumed Catkurtes — 6, ditto, of Secretary, parts mvested.j 



The Oricou Vulture ( V. auricularis, Daud.), an African species, [probably the largest of the true Vultures,] lias 

 a longitudinal fleshy crest on each side of the neck, above the ear, [a character which likewise occurs, less promi- 

 aently, in one or two others]. 



America produces Vultures remarkable for the caruncles which surmount the membrane at the base 

 of the beak ; the latter is as large as in the preceding, but the nostrils are oval and longitudinal. 

 They are 



The Condors {Sarcoramphus, Dumeril), — 



[A very distinct genus, remarkable for having no muscles attached to the trachea, in consequence of 

 which they are necessarily deprived of voice, emitting no sound beyond a weak snorting. Their hind 

 toe is shorter than in other Accipitres.'] 



The King Condor (V. papa, Lin).— Size of a Goose. The naked parts of the head and neck vividly coloured, and 

 the caruncle denticulated like the comb of a cock. It inhabits the Pampas and other hot parts of South America. 

 This species is termed the King of the Vultures, from the Gallinazos giving place to it, through fear, whenever it 

 settles upon a carcase which they had begun to devour. 



The Great Condor (F. ^ny;9A!«, Lin.); the male of which, in addition to his superior carunclet, has another 

 under the beak, like the cock. The female differs in colour, and is without the caruncles. This bird has been 

 rendered famous by exaggerated reports of its size : it is little larger than the Bearded Griffin, which its manners 

 resemble. It inhabits the most elevated regions of the Andes, and flies higher than any other bij-d. 



The Gallinazos {Catkartes, Cuv.) — 



Have the beak of the Condors, that is to say, large, with longitudinal oval nostrils, but no fleshy crest: 

 their head and neck are without feathers ; [plumage nearly or wholly black : the sternum emarginated 

 inward of the ordinary foramen. All the species are from America.] 



The Great Gallinazo (F. calif orniamts, Shaw), — approaches the large Condor in size, with proportionally longer 

 wings. [From the western coast of North America.] 



The Turkey Buzzard oH\\& Anglo-Americans (F. aara, Lin.)— Little larger than a fowl. [There appear to b« 

 others, hitherto imperfectly determined.] 



The Neophrons {Neophron, Cuv.) — 



Have a long and slender beak, rather tumid above its curvature ; the nostrils oval and longitudinal. 



* No species of bird has more than twelve tail-feathers (including 

 the ttropys^itiU) till we arrive at the Poultry. Hence, the Alectura, 

 — iiifiitioned in the preccdinir note, — which possesses eigliteen, might 

 in this ciiaracter alone have been referred to its proper station. 



t It is proper to remark that the ri^id cartilaginous crest of the 

 male of tiiis Condor offers no analogy, anatomically, with the flaccid 

 caruncle ot ths other. — Ed. 



