On the groups of the VuUuridce. 375 



tribution, being respectively inhabitants of the New and Old 

 World. The first of these, or the genus 



Sarcorampjius, Dura., 

 is known by the fleshy caruncles which are appended to the cere. 

 These appear by their connection with the tiares to increase the 

 delicacy of these organs, and they thus form important points 

 of distinction in the distribution of the family. The 7i(a'es them- 

 selves are large, oval, and longitudinal; and are situated almost 

 at the extremity of the cere. The third quill feather is the long- 

 est. As in all the typical birds of the family, the bill and legs 

 of this genus are robust and muscular, and the s(rength and size 

 of the body indicate considerable powers. These birds belong 

 exclusively to the New World, where three species of them have 

 been found ; the Vullur papa of Linnaeus, commonly known as 

 the King of the Vultures ; the V. gryphus of the same authour, 

 or the Condor of M. de Humboldt ; and the V. Californianus^ of 

 Dr. Shaw. 



* The Vultur Californiamis was originally described by Dr. Shaw, and 

 figured in the Naturalist's Miscellany, [pi. 301.] ft om a specimen presented 

 to the British Museum by Mr. Menzies. He says that there are no caruncles 

 on the bill or head. " The head is entirety void of any carunculated appearance, 

 but the occiput or back part is marked by a dark patch or zone which 

 seems to rise a little above the surface." Gen. Zool. Vol. Vil. p. 11. I have 

 examined the specimen in the British Museum, which unfortunately has lost 

 the cere, and has only the bare bone of the bill remaining. It is of course 

 impossible from its present appearance to determine whether the bird had 

 caruncles or not. The wings and tail are also imperfect, which indeed is 

 generally the case among the Vultures, who trail these parts upon the 

 ground and thus damage them considerably: but its general appearance 

 is that of the true Sarcoramphi, and the disposition of the nares is the 

 same. It is more than probable that the specimen was perfect, at least with 

 regard to its bill, when first examined by Dr. Shaw, or he would not so 

 positively have assured us that it was without those appendages to the head. 

 If we allow this to be the case, we may determine that the species stands at 

 the extreme limits oi the genns Sarcora7nphus, where it joins the true Vultur, 

 M. Temminck also has figured this bird, [PI. Col. 31.] but he has added 

 nothing to our knowledge of it. His figure in fact is but a mere copy of Dr. 

 Shaw's. Like the specimen in the Museum it is without any cere on the bill. 

 He has however substituted for the specifick name of Californiamis, originally 

 conferred on the bird by our countryman, a new one of his own, Vullurinus. 



