On the groups of the Vidturidce. 383 



as far as to the Island of Java. Their place in New Holland 

 seems to be supplied, as far as we can judge from the facts as yet 

 before us, by the naked-cheeked Falconidce, which form the 

 genus Polyborus of M. Vieillot. It becomes therefore an inter- 

 esting question whether the species described by Dr. Latham be- 

 long to the circle of Vultures or nut. From the figure that is 

 given of the former of these birds some doubts arise on this point: 

 as the bill is straight and slender, and the legs and toes long, and 

 the nails, particularly that of the hallux, sharp and perfectly 

 straight. The figure has in fact more the appearance of a Wading 

 Bird than of a Bird of Prey. We have no figure of the V. audax. 

 From the known accuracy of Dr. Latham however, who des- 

 cribed both birds, we may determine that they appertain, or at 

 least approach, to the raptorial group in which he has placed them. 

 Under these circumstances these birds become doubly interesting. 

 We want a form to complete the series of affinity among the 

 Ruptores : these species may probably belong to the group which 

 furnishes it ; and thus we may have our chasm filled up by the 

 productions of that extraordinary portion of the globe which has 

 already supplied so many of our deficiencies. 



The following tabular view of the characters of this family and 

 of the leading forms belonging to it will enable the reader to dis- 

 tinguish the peculiarities of these forms as they accord with, or 

 deviate from ihe typical family character, as well as the series of 

 affinity in which they succeed each other. I introduce those 

 species only which are the types of each form. ) 



Fam. VuLTURiD.E. 

 Caput, collumque plus minusve nuda. Rostrum prnecipue 

 forte, ad apicem aduncum, basi late cerigerum. Nares laterales, in 

 ceromate positae, ovales, interdum elongatae, plerumque apertse. 

 Tarsi reticulata Digiti externi membrane conuexi. Ungues 

 validi, subaculi, sublncurvi, vix retractiles. 



