BIRDS. 



ORDER 



ACCIPITRES. 



VULTUR. VULTURE. 



Generic Character. 



Rostrum rectum, apice a- 

 duncum, basi cute tec- 

 tum. 



Caput plerisque impenne, 

 antice nuda cute. 



Lingua carnosa, ssepius bi- 

 fida. 



Collum retractile. 



Pedes validi, imguibus mo- 

 dice incurvatis. 



Bill strait, hooked at the 

 tip, and covered at the 

 base by a cere or skin. 



Head, in most species, bare 

 of feathers, and covered 

 in front by a naked skin. 



Tongue fleshy, and general- 

 ly bifid. 



Neck retractile. 



Feet strong, with moderate- 

 ly crooked claws. 



J. HE Vultures, in general, differ from the Eagles 

 in being of a heavier or less active nature, and in 

 their mode of life; commonly preferring dead to 

 living prey, and feeding on the most putrid sub- 

 stances. They are much more common in warm 

 than in cold climates, and may be considered as a 

 v. VII. 1 



