OQP. 



NOIiTII AMERICAN BIRDS. 



of the crop. Although not truly gregarious, they nsaeinblo in multitudes 

 where i'ood is plenty, iiml some species breed in CDUimiuiities. When gorged, 

 they appear heavy and indisposed to exertion, usually passing the i)eriod of 

 digestion motionless, in a listless attitude, with their wings hall" spread. But 

 they spend must oi' the time on Aving, circling higli in the air ; their fligiit is 

 easy and graceful in the extreme, and capable of being indefinitely pro- 

 tracted. On the ground, they habitually walk instead of imigressing by 

 leaps. Possessing no vocal apparatus, the Vultures arc almost mute, emitting 

 only a weak hissing sound." (CoL'ES.) 



The Cathartidfc all Ijeloiig to the tropical and warm ten)]ierate portions of 

 Die continent, only one sj)ecies {I{hinof)rjiphns anra) extending its range as 

 far as the border of tlie colder regions. The famous Condor {t^iircorhamphus 

 grjjphas) of the Andes and the equally large California species {Pscv.do(jrij- 

 pliHS I'lilifiiniiaiKOi) are among the largest birds of fli.ulit in the world, being 



exceeded in size by none, and rivalled 

 but by one or two of the Vidtures 

 of tlie Eastern Hemisi)here. 



The following diagnoses based upon 

 the external structure are sufhcient 

 to characterize the very well-marked 

 genera and subgenera of this family. 

 Tlie distinctive osteological characters 

 which accompany these external fea- 

 tures afford still more decided differ- 

 ences, and are illustrated by the iig- 

 * ures. 



S. gryphus, J, Chile. K "«*• slie. 



S. paiia, $ , Mazatlan. }i nat. size. 



Genera and Subgenera. 



A. Crop naked. Male with a lle.«liy crest, or lobe, attached to the top of the 

 cere. Bill very robust and .stronp:, i .s outlines very convex ; cere much shorter 

 than the head. 



1. SarcorbamphuB. Entire neck bare; nasal cavity entirely open ; pos- 

 terior claw vuiy lliiok and stronirly curved. Tail even. 



Se.Kes difi'eront, the female hickinpf any fleshy caruncles, or appendages, 

 on the head and neck. Frontal lobe, or fleshy crest of male, extending 

 frnni the anterior liorder of the cere to tlie middle of the crown; throat 

 witli a median wattle, or " dewlap " ; side of tlie neck wi'li a somewhat 

 convoluted or twisted caruncle, extending from the side of tlie occiput 



