ACL'iriTUEs. 232 



Avarty underneath, and Furnished with strong curved claws, 

 especially on the hind and inner-toes. The under mandi- 

 ble is nearly straight, with a sloping end. The upper 

 mandible is more or less arched from its base ; and at the 

 end it is bent down like a hook over the other, and is 

 sharp pointed. The limbs are strong. The tongue emar- 

 ginate. The females largest. 



a. Bill covered with a cere, in which the nostrils are 

 lodged. The eyes are directed laterally, as in other birds. 

 Outer toe incapable of having its position, or its motion re- 

 versed. This includes the diurnal birds, constituting two 

 families, Vulturidae and Falconidae, formed from the old 

 genera Vultur and Falco. 



Vulturidcc. Head naked. The eyes are on a level with 

 the surface. Tarsus reticulated. Crop protuberant. 



Nasal orifices placed transverslv- 



27. Vli.tur. Head and neck bare. A collar of long 

 feathers round the base of the neck. 



Nasal orifices placed longitudinally. 

 5:^8. Sarcokamphus. Condor. Neck bare of feathers. 

 Cere carimculated. 



29. Percnopterus. Neck covered with feathers. 



Falconkla. Head feathered. The young birds do not 

 arrive at maturity of plumage until the third year. In 

 their immature state, they have inconsiderately been de- 

 sci-ibed as distinct species. Indeed, the description of the 

 species are usually so superficial, that it is diflficult to found 

 genera on essential characters. 



Eyes level with the surface 



30. Gypaetos. Nostrils covered with porrected hair, 

 ("ioj) protuberant. Tarsus feathered. This genus, repre- 

 >cnk'(! by the Vulfur hdj-barus^ occupies a middle station 



