ORDER ACCIPITRES. 



163 



with long and pendant feathers on the sides, which grow 

 down below the articulation with the tarsi. The first remex 

 is shorter than the sixth, and the fourth the longest of all ; the 

 tail is rounded at its extremity, and composed of twelve rec- 

 trices, or tail quills. 



In the first year the plumage is varied with brown and dirty 

 gray. The down of the head and neck is, in the second year, 

 gray and brown ; the circle round the eye white ; the collar 

 ashen; the body is brown, but clearer underneath. In the 

 third year the down becomes totally brown, and the body 

 of a blackish brown. Finally, in the fourth year, the down 

 of the head and plumage are black. 



The Sociable Vulture, or Oricou, received this last name from 

 LeVaillant, in consequence of a membrane which edges its ears, 

 and is prolonged over the neck, which last is entirely denuded, 

 as well as the head. The crop, which is prominent, is covered 

 with a silky down. There is on the neck a broad and frizzled 

 demi -collar. The under feathers of the body are bristling, 

 and curved like the blade of a sabre. A fine down extends 

 over the legs and a part of the feet, which, as well as the toes, 

 are covered with large scales. The tail is wedged, and always 

 worn at its extremity. 



Long black lashes surround the eyes, the iris of which is of 

 a moronne-brown ; reddish and violet constitute the tints of 

 the skin of the head and neck ; the throat is black ; the upper 

 part of the body, wings, and tail, are blackish ; the under of a 

 clear brown ; the down of the legs white ; the beak yellow at 

 the base, and horn colour at the point. The young bird is clothed 

 with a whitish down, and its plumage gradually assumes the 

 sombre tint of the adult. 



This large vulture, the height of which exceeds three feet, 

 and which measures from tip of wing to tip of wing ten feet, 

 inhabits the lofty mountains of the south of Africa, principally 

 in the country of the Great Namaquois. The Dutch colonists 

 of the Cape know it under the name of the black carrion bird , 



M 2 



