ACCIPITRES — FALCONIDJS — CATHARTES. 
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and from thence the distance is inconsiderable to the west end of Long island. Here I have 
seen them twice, and they appear to be known to the country people, who speak of them, 
however, as very rare, and only seen at intervals of several years, and during the hottest of 
the season. Dr. Eights assures me that he saw them once on the low islands in the Hudson 
below Albany. Southwardly it is supposed to range to the River La Plata. They are found 
abundantly on the Rocky mountains and along the Columbia river, and according to Richard¬ 
son as^ar north as the 53d parallel. It is common in Ohio during the summer, but does not 
continue in the northern parts of that State during the winter. Food, carrion, disabled ani¬ 
mals, the eggs of birds, etc. Lay two eggs, nearly three inches long, yellowish white, with 
dark brown blotches particularly at the larger end. 
(EXTRA-LIMITAL.) 
C. alratus. Black Vulture. (Am. B. of A. PI. 3.) Neck more feathered above than below. Tail 
emarginate. Young entirely brown. Southern States. 
C. californianus. (Aud. Ib. pi. 1.) Feathers of the collar and breast lanceolate. Wings reaching 
beyond the tail. Length, 55 inches. Columbia river. 
FAMILY FALCON IT) MU. 
Head and neck feathered. Tarsus longer than the middle toe. Claws strong, sharp, much 
curved, very retractile. Lower mandible obliquely rounded at the tip. Eyes large and 
prominent, with a projecting bony ridge above. 
Obs. This family, which formerly contained but two genera, now comprises from nine to 
twelve, according to the views of systematic writers. 
(EXTRA-LIMI TAL.) 
Genus Polyborus, Vieillot. Cere large, covered with hair-like feathers continued over the cheeks and 
behind the eyes. Nostrils narrow, oblique. Wings long; the third and fouith quills longest. 
Tail rounded. Bill large, much compressed. 
P. brasiliensis (Audub. B. of A. Vol. 1, p. 21, pi. 4.) Above blackish brown. Head crested. Tail 
white, with a broad dusky band at the tip. Cere dull red. Legs yellow. Florida. Rare. 
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