246 The Falcon-like Birds 



and crossed with three bars of ashy brown. This species is confined almost 

 exclusively to the dense tropical forests, being rarely seen in the open country. 

 There is an allied species (M. tceniatus) in Ecuador, and an allied genus with a 

 single species (Harpyopsis nova-guinea) in southeastern New Guinea. 



Old World Vultures (Subfamily VulturincE). To all intents and purposes 

 the Old World Vultures are similar in appearance and habits to their relatives 

 in the New World, and all were at one time united in a single group, but as 

 already pointed out, they are essentially different in structure, having imper- 

 forate nostrils and the hind toe on the same level as the front ones, as in typical 

 members of the group. They are large birds, with strong feet, rather blunt 

 claws, and featherless head and neck, and all feed to a greater or less extent on 

 carrion. They are disposed in seven genera and about seventeen species, but as 

 it will not be possible to fully describe them all, a few of the more striking 

 and interesting forms may be selected and briefest mention made of a few 

 others. 



Black Vulture. One of the most typical members of the group is the Com- 

 mon Cinereous, or Black Vulture ( Vultur monachus), a bird distributed from 

 southern Europe and northwestern Africa through central Asia to India and 

 China. It is about forty-two inches in length and is dull sooty black in color, 

 with brownish or chocolate reflections. The " ruff " at the base of the neck 

 is composed of pointed, downy feathers, while the head and throat are covered 

 with a short, velvety, black down. The bare skin above the neck is of a livid 

 flesh-color. The nostrils are small and nearly circular. It is described as being 

 a sluggish, repulsive bird, feeding almost exclusively on carrion and such refuse. 

 " Repulsive and hideous-looking as are a group of Vultures assembled around 

 a carcase of a large animal and gorging themselves to satiety upon its contents, 

 their appearance is very different as they are seen wheeling in circles at a great 

 height in the blue sky of a tropical noon; and no spectacle is more interesting 

 than to watch the Vultures flocking up from all parts when some of their number 

 have detected a prey, and dropped to earth to feast upon it." " Royal Natural 

 History," IV, 254. The Cinereous Vulture prefers wooded districts and con- 

 structs a bulky nest of sticks, usually in a tree, though not rarely on a rocky 

 ledge. They deposit but a single large egg, which is white, richly marked and 

 blotched with red. 



The Griffon Vultures, of which the Common Griffon (Gyps fulvus) may 

 be taken as the type, number some seven more or less well denned species. 

 They are of about the same size as the Cinereous Vulture, but may be distinguished 

 by the oval, transversely placed nostrils, and a tail of fourteen feathers. The 

 various members of the genus range over eastern Europe, nearly the whole of 

 Africa, and hence through Persia to India and the Malay Peninsula. They 

 prefer the more open country and invariably nest on rocks, several often nesting 

 near together. So far as known but a single, white, unspotted egg is laid. 



The Eared Vultures. The so-called Eared Vultures of the genus Otogyps 

 take their name from certain naked, fleshy folds or lappets on the sides of the 

 head. Two species are known, of which the African Eared Vulture (O. auri- 



