NEOPHRONIN^. 11 



Length 34 to 36 incTies ; ext. 7 ft.; wing 23 ; tail 10 ; tarsus 3f ; 

 mid-toe 4^ ; bill (gape) 2^ ; height 1^. 



Bill shorter and stouter than in the two last, and nostrils more 

 oblique ; outer toe with six large scuta. Tail with only 1 2 feathers. 



This is the most common .Vulture of India, and is found in 

 immense numbers all over the countrj^, extending into Assam and 

 Burmah, (and said to be also found in Africa,) congregating where- 

 ever any dead animal is exposed. At Calcutta one may frequently 

 be seen seated on the bloated corpse of some Hindoo floating up or 

 down with the tide, its wings spread, to assist in steadying it, and 

 as soon as it has finished its repast, giving place to another. I 

 have seen, one washed off in mid-stream, and flap its way to shore. 

 It walks and even runs with facility, though awkwardly. It breeds 

 by preference on rocky clifl's, but also not unfrequently on large 

 trees, laying usually one dirty white egg. Capt. Hutton, J. A.S., YI., 

 gives an interesting account of a young one he reared from the nest. 



Other species of Gyps are recorded from the south of Europe 

 and Africa, viz., G. occidentalis from the Pyxennees, and G. lluppellii 

 from Africa. 



Sub-Fam. Neophronin^ — Scavengers. 



Syn. Sarcorampliince (pars), and Caihartince (pars), Auct. Neoph- 

 rince, Cassin. 



BiU lengthened, slender, straight, hooked suddenly at the tip ; 

 cere very long, occupying nearly two-thirds of the whole bill ; 

 nostrils longitudinal, nearly in the middle of the bill; part of 

 head and the face naked ; neck with acuminated feathers ; wings 

 ample, pointed, the third quill longest ; tail moderate, wedge-shaped ; 

 of twelve or fourteen feathers ; legs moderate, toes much united at 

 base by membrane. 



The genus Neophron is usually placed among the Sarcoram- 

 pliince, an American group. It differs a good deal, however, in many 

 of its characters from these birds, and Bonaparte, I see, includes 

 it among his Vulturince, guided no doubt partly by geographical 

 distribution. Its characters and habits are so very distinct, that 

 I have ventured to form it into a distinct sub-family.* 



* Since writing tho above, I sec this has been already done by Cassin. 



