26 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



are not so far-spreading, and are, as it were, drawn downward at 

 the expense of the centra, the latter becoming more compressed, 

 the former, now attached by a quadrate pedicle, are true hypapo- 

 physes with flattened and expanded extremities, which latter con- 

 tract, and the pedicle becomes longer as we approach the sacrum. 

 These are very prettily shown in Sarcorhamphus g r y - 

 phus , and in all of our vultures are a striking characteristic of 

 the dorsal series. 



Rimlike projections are observed to bound the facets of articu- 

 lation among the centra in the dorsal division of the spine; and 

 these centra are laterally subcompressed at their middles and rather 

 deep in the vertical direction. This does not, however, influence 

 the cylindrical form of the neural canal, which retains that shape 

 throughout, especially inCathartes a. septentrionalis. 

 Dorsal nerves from the spinal cord issue from between the verte- 

 brae, which latter are indented both anteriorly and posteriorly to 

 admit of it. 



At the base of the transverse processes of these dorsal vertebrae, 

 and again at their extremities, semicircular facets exist for the 

 capitula and tubercula of the dorsal ribs. Those at the bases are 

 upon slightly raised elevations and look almost directly outward, 

 those at the extremities look downward and outward. This is the 

 case inCarthartes a. septentrionalis and C a t h - 

 arista urubu, but in the condor and in Gymnogyps they face 

 almost directly outward, especially in the last dorsal. 



The diapophyses become progressively longer as we near the 

 sacrum at the same time more inclined upward; they are com- 

 pressed from above downward, being- dilated at their outward ex- 

 tremities, where they bear distinct and styliform connecting meta- 

 pophyses, the last pair being extended to the pelvis in Cathartes. 



Close and mutual locking is accomplished in this region, principally 

 by a shortening of the pre- and postzygapophyses, the facets upon 

 the former facing upward and slightly, inward, upon the latter down- 

 ward and slightly outward, so as to be nicely approximated in the 

 articulated skeleton. With the exception of the vertebrae that are 

 grasped by the pelvic bones, these segments in all of the Cathartidae 

 are freely articulated with each other. This is likewise the case 

 with Gypogeranus and Neophron percnopteru s , and 

 obtains also with our Circus hu-dsonius, in which species 

 five vertebrae are allotted to the dorsal division of the column. 

 Again, we find it in Accipiter cooperi, while in Tin- 



