ACCIPITRES. 



165 



. CaliJ,, 



The Fulvous Vulture (K fulmis, 

 Gm.) is the uiost widely-diffused spe- 

 cies, inhabiting the mountainous parts 

 of the whole ancient continent. Its 

 body surpasses in size that of a Swan 

 [possibly in the instance of some fe- 

 males. This bird has been errone- 

 ously stated to have fourteen tail- 

 feathers.* The greater number of the 

 genus possess similar characters.] 



The Dusky Vulture (K. cinereus, 

 Gm.)— As widely distributed as the 

 preceding [but less numerously], and 

 still larger -. it frequently attacks liv- 

 ing animals. [This species exemplifies 

 the subgenus GyiJs of Savigny : hav- 

 ing the beak more sharply pointed, 

 the nostrils almost round, and the 

 head partially clothed with feathers. 

 The Vultures generally, indeed, have 

 the head and neck feathered when 

 young, like the Turkey and other 

 birds which havs bald heads in a state 

 of maturity : the immature V. Aiigo- 

 lensis, Gm., is doubtfully figured by 

 Bennett as a species of Caracara {Po- 

 lybortis? hvpoleucos) ; but the adults 



of » true Vulture— 2, ditto, of Neophron— 3, ditto, of of that spccies continue to havc those 



, the for; 



' presumed Catharifs — G, ditto, uf Sec 



1 of which have become obliterated 



ttary. parts invested.] 



The Oricou Vulture (F. auricularis, Daud.), an African species, [probably the largest of the true Vultures,] has 

 a longitudinal fleshy crest on each side of the neck, above the ear, [a character which likewise occurs, less promi- 

 nently, in one or two others]. 



America produces Vultures remarkable for the caruncles which surmount the membrane at the base 

 of the beak ; the latter is as large as in the preceding, but the nostrils are oval and longitudinal. 



They are 



The Condors {Sarcoramphus, Dumeril), — 



[A very distinct genus, remarkable for having no muscles attached to the trachea, in consequence of 



which they are necessarily deprived of voice, emitting no sound beyond a weak snorting. Their hind 



toe is shorter than in other Accipitres.'] 



The King Condor (V. papa, Lin).— Size of a Goose. The naked parts of the head and neck vividly coloured, and 

 the caruncle denticulated like the comb of a cock. It inhabits the Pampas and other hot parts of South America. 

 This species is termed the King of the Vultures, from the Gallinazos giving place to it, through fear, whenever it 

 settles upon a carcase which they had begun to devour. 



The Great Condor (F.^c^j^Ams, Lin.); the male of which, in addition to his superior carunclef, has another 

 xmder the beak, like the cock. The female differs in colour, and is without the caruncles. This bird has been 

 rendered famous by exaggerated reports of its size : it is little larger than the Bearded Griffin, which its manners 

 resemble. It inhabits the most elevated regions of the Andes, and flies higlier than any other bird. 



The Gallinazos {Cathartes, Cuv.) — 

 Have the beak of the Condors, that is to say, large, with longitudinal oval nostrils, but no fleshy crest : 

 their head and neck are without feathers ; [plumage nearly or wholly black : the sternum emarginated 

 inward of the ordinary foramen. All the species are from America.] 



The Great Gallinazo (F, calif ornianus, Shaw),— approaches the large Condor in size, with proportionally longer 

 wings. [From the western coast of North America.] 



The Turkey Buzzard oiihe Anglo-Americans (T'. aura, Lin.)— Little larger than a fowl. [There appear to be 

 others, hitherto imperfectly determined.] 



The Neophrons {Neophron, Cuv.) — 

 Have a long and slender beak, rather tumid above its curvature ; the nostrils oval and longitudinal, 



i of bird has more 



Xo !,peci( 



uropygiah) till we arrive at t 

 leiitiouedin the precedintj note,- 

 .his ciiaracter alone have been re 



twelve tail-feathers (including 

 ! Poultry. Heiicc, the .llectura, 

 ivhich possesses eighteei}, might 

 rred to its proper station. 



t It is proper to ri 

 male of this Condor ol 

 caruncle of the other.- 



mark that the rigid cartilaginous crest of the 

 ers no analogy, anatomically, with the tlaccid 



Ed. 



