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Genus GYPAETUS. 



Vultur apud Brisson, Orn. vi. App. p. 26 (1760). 

 Falco apud Linneeus, Syst. Nat. i. p. 123 (1766). 

 Gyjpaetus, Storr, Alpenreise, p. 69 (1784). 

 Gyptus apud Dumeril, Zool. Anal. p. 34 (1806). 

 Phene apud Vieillot, Faun. Fran9. p. 5 (1820). 



Mr. Shaepe removes the present genus from the Vulturidse and includes it in the Falconidse, 

 because the head is covered with true feathers instead of being naked or covered with down ; but 

 I have deemed it best to retain it amongst the Vulturidse, as belonging more naturally to that 

 family. Only two species belong to this genus, one of which is found in the Western Palsearctic 

 Eegion. These birds inhabit certain of the mountain-ranges of the Palsearctic and Ethiopian 

 Eegions, not being found in the Eastern Palsearctic Region south of the Himalayas. They are 

 essentially inhabitants of the higher mountain-ranges, are solitary in their habits; and though 

 they are by some authors said to be bold and rapacious, they resemble the true Vultures more 

 than the Eagles, feed on carrion and refuse of various kinds, and are, as a rule, cowardly 

 and tolerably inoffensive. Their cry is feeble and querulous, and they are rather silent than 

 otherwise. Their flight is strong and tolerably swift, and they often sail in circles at great 

 altitudes in search of food. They nest in precipices, making a bulky nest of sticks lined with 

 wool or some soft material, and deposit two yellowish-orange eggs, which are somewhat small 

 for the size of the bird. 



Gypa'etus barbatus, the type of the genus, has the bill straight to the nostrils, where the 

 culmen rises and is arched, the bill ending in a strong hook ; basal portion of the bill covered 

 with strong bristles, which conceal the nostrils ; on the chin, at the base of the lower mandible, 

 is a tuft of bristles ; head covered with feathers ; wings long, broad, the first quill shorter than 

 the fifth, the third longest ; tail long, graduated ; tarsus feathered to the toes ; feet strong, the 

 toes covered with reticulated scales ; claws moderately arched, rather blunt, but stout and 

 strong. 



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