Nov. 1907. BIRDS FROM GUATEMALA DEARBORN. 81 



which constantly stood about the carcass, these patricians spent but 

 little time feeding, and when satisfied, ascended to the tops of some 

 trees in the vicinity. Two adult males and one immature female 

 were secured. Generally speaking, king vultures were scarce; aside 

 from those already mentioned, only two were seen during the entire 

 winter. The writer has yet to see a more beautiful bird than the 

 present species in life. Its black wings and tail, white under parts 

 and pale rose mantle are striking enough, but its chief beauty lies 

 in the brilliant coloring of its head and neck. A sketch in water 

 colors, carefully made from a fresh specimen, bears the following 

 colors, named according to Ridgway's Nomenclature of Colors: 

 Indian yellow, lemon-yellow, poppy-red, scarlet- vermilion, flame- 

 scarlet; flesh color, rose-purple, and Indian purple. Iris lemon- 

 yellow. 



35. Cathartes aura (Linnaus). 



Turkey buzzards were found at all altitudes. They frequent 

 mountains and open country, leaving the towns to the black vultures. 

 One specimen was taken. Iris dark brown. 



36. Catharista urubu (Vieittot}. 



In the towns black vultures vie with the pigs and dogs and chickens 

 as scavengers. They are more numerous than poultry and quite 

 as safe from violence. They understand the ways of humanity very 

 well, and quickly recognize signs of a coming feast. At one time, 

 two men were seen to bring armfuls of boughs and build a temporary 

 shelter from the sun on the dry bed of the river. The black vul- 

 tures gradually began to assemble. They stood in a circular line, 

 and saw a sheep brought down and slaughtered, and respectfully 

 waited till the men and their mutton had departed, when they made 

 short work of the offal. The slaughtering place of each town is their 

 especial rendezvous. Only one specimen was taken. Iris dark 

 brown. 



Family Falconidfe. 



37. Accipiter velox (Wilson). 



An immature male, taken at Lake Atitlan April 8th, was the only 

 example of this species known to have been seen. Iris yellow. 



