BLACK VULTURE OR CARRION CROW. M9 



there being no epithelium as in the Turkey Buzzard, nor any hairs in 

 the cardiac lobe. The duodenum, c d ef, is 10 inches long, and forms 

 several convolutions previous to its curving forward to receive the 

 biliary ducts. The intestine subsequently forms twelve curves, and 

 above the stomach terininates in the rectum. Its whole length is 4 

 feet 1 inch ; its width at the commencement 5J twelfths, gradually 

 diminishing to 3 twelfths, towards the rectum enlarging to 4 twelfths. 

 That part has a breadth of 4^ twelfths at its commencement, gradually 

 enlarging to 9 twelfths and terminates in a globular cloaca, h, 1^ inch in 

 diameter. The proventricular glands are large, and form a complete 

 belt 1 inch 2 twelfths in breadth. 



The trachea is 10 inches in length, much flattened ; its rings 162 

 in number, slightly ossified, narrower behind. Its breadth at the an- 

 terior part is 5^ twelfths, at the lower 4^ twelfths, but again enlarging 

 at the bifvu-cation to 6 twelfths. As in the Turkey Buzzard the bi- 

 furcation takes place without the usual bipartite ring ; and there are 

 on each side 8 rings beyond it, which may be considered as part of the 

 bronchi, the rest being composed of a membranous tube destitute of 

 rings. The lateral muscles are very large and expanded over the whole 

 breadth of the trachea to the distance of 10 twelfths from its bifurca- 

 tion, when they pass oflF to be inserted into the sternum. There are 

 no inferior laryngeal muscles. 



As to the nasal apparatus, it is found to differ very considerably 

 from that of the Turkey Buzzard. The head and jaws of the present 



Fig. 2. 



=^ ' , t — I 



species are more elongated, its brain is smaller, and the height of the 

 upper jaw at the base is much less. The nasal cavity is therefore more 

 confined, and it is moreover of less complex structure, inasmuch as the 

 turbinated bones are reduced to one, Fig. 2, d, which appears to be the 



