48 



VEUTEBliATA. 



THE VLLTURE HAWK. 



of the only species belonging to tlic genus — G. angolensis of Gray ; the Vultur angolensis of La- 

 tham. It is of the size of the goose, the general plumage being white ; the middle part of the 

 wings and back black ; the bill and tarsi white ; the lower part of the neck enlarged into a sack. 

 It is found in Western Africa, and especially at Angola, and may be properly designated the An- 

 gola Vulture- Hawk. 



Genus CARACARA : Caracara. — Under this title we shall include several species, arranged 

 by some naturalists in several different genera, and all partaking somewhat of the vulturine char- 

 acter. They have the general aspect of the hawks or eagles, and carry otf their prey in their 

 talons in the manner of those birds, but their habits resemble those of the vultures. Hence they 

 are regarded as a distinct tribe by Le Maout and some others. The prominent species is the Cara- 

 cara Eagle — the Pohjborus Braziliensis of Vieillot; the Falco Braziliensis of Latham ; Poh/bo- 

 I'us vulgaris of Audubon ; P. tharus of Molina. The length of this bird is twenty-four to twenty- 

 six inches ; the wings and tail are long ; there is a bare place on the breast as in the turkey- 

 buzzard ; the back and wings are brown, edged with umber-color ; tail grayish-white, banded 

 with brown ; neck light brownish-yellow ; the fore parts of the body, above and below, banded 

 with brown and white ; the hind part, abdomen, and sides, dark brown. This is the most com- 

 mon of the Falconida3 found in Brazil and the vicinity ; it extends northward to Mexico, and is 

 sometimes met with in the Southern and Southwestern States. Its name of Caracara is derived 

 from its love-cry, which it utters while turning its head upon its back; it is omnivorous, though 

 it prefers small reptiles, and often walks in the water, seizing upon frogs, young alligators, and the 

 like; it then drags them to the shore and devours them. It is a lazy bird, and therefore, in the 

 vicinity of human settlements, feeds upon the oftal it can pick up ; it often follows travelers, and 

 though carefully keeping itself concealed in the forests, still waits and watches over their encamp- 

 ments at night, and upon their departure, descends and feasts on the relics of food they may have 

 left. It is usually seen in flocks during the day, but at night they divide in pairs and resume their 

 conjugal avocations. It is very quarrelsome with its kindred, two of them often fighting furiously 

 for the same piece of food; they also rob other birds, and especially gulls, of their prey; but they 

 are still cowardly, and submit to be sadly harassed by birds so insignificant as fly-catchers. 



