552 VULTURID.E. 



outer angle of the proximal end of the coracoid is pro- 

 duced in the same degree and form, and a similar intermus- 

 cular ridge is present on the anterior and towards the outer 

 part of the coracoid. The preserved extremities of the femur 

 and tibia have the same conformation and nearly the same 

 relative size in the fossil as in the existing CatJiartes. In 

 this genus, nevertheless, there is a deeper depression on 

 the outer surface of the sternum external to the coracoid 

 groove than in the fossil ; but this difference is less marked 

 in some of the large Vulturida. The vertebra, the shaft 

 of the coracoid, and the preserved portions of sternal 

 ribs, are relatively more slender. The fossil, moreover, 

 indicates a smaller species of bird than is known amongst 

 the existing Vulturidee. 



The anterior or inner wall of the coracoid groove is 

 broader, the anterior angular process narrower, and the body 

 of the sternum more convex, than in the Heron or Bittern ; 

 and the proximal end of the coracoid has a different form 

 in the fossil. In the Sea- Gull the keel rises from a more 

 curved surface of the sternum than in the fossil ; the 

 inner wall of the coracoid goove is broader ; and the outer 

 angle of the sternal end of the coracoid has a different 

 form and position. I regret that I have not yet had the 

 opportunity of comparing with this interesting specimen 

 the skeleton of the small European Neophron, (Vultur 

 percnopterus, Linn. ;) but, in the meanwhile, I deem it 

 best to retain the subgeneric distinctive appellation origi- 

 nally proposed for the eocene species of bird represented 

 by the present very remarkable Hunterian fossil. 



