560 



SYSTEM A TIC SYNOPSIS. — EAPTOBES — CA TRABTIDE8. 



2.75 X 1.90, white or creamy, variously spotted and blotched with dififerent browns, and with 

 lavender or purplish-drab shell-markings. This species has a curious habit of "playing 

 possum," by simulating death when wounded and captured ; the feint is admirably executed 

 and often long protracted. 

 191. CATHARIS'TA. (Grv. Kadapl(a, hatharizo, \ \n\viiy.) CareiON CeOWS. Of medium size ; 

 body stout. Head naked, and generally as in Cathartes, but feathers of the neck running up 

 lieliind to a point on the occiput, the outline of the pliunage thus very different. Cere con- 

 tracted ; nostrils narrow, less openly pervious than in Cathartes. Wings shorter and relatively 

 broader than in Cathartes, not folding to the end of the tail, which is short, only about half the 

 wing, and even or emargiuate ; 4th and .5th quills longest. The difference in size and shape 



Fig. 388. — Black Vulture, i nat. size. (From Brehm. ) 



between Cathartes and Catharista is strikingly displayed when the birds are seen flying together , 

 there is also a decided difference in the mode of flight, as Catharista never sails for any distance 

 without interrupting that easy motion by flapping the wings. 

 538. C. atra'ta. (Lat. atrato, blackened. Fig. 3S8.) Careion Ceow. Black A^ulture. Adult 

 (J 9 : Entire plumage, including skin of head, and bill, blackish ; shafts of the primaries 

 white ; bases of the ]irimaries paling to gray or whitish. Tip of bill and feet grayish-yellow 

 iris Tirown ; claws black. Smaller than C. aura, in linear dimensions, but a heavier bird 

 length about 2 feet; extent only about ii feet; wing 17.00 inches; tail 8.00; tarsus 3.00 

 middle toe rather less ; chord of culmcu without cere 1.00 or less. Nesting like that of C aura; 

 eggs similar, but larger, or at any rate longer; about 3.25X2.00. Chiefly S. Atlantic and Gulf 

 States, especially maritime, there very numerous, out-numbering the turkey buzzards, and 

 semidomesticated in the towns, where their good offices are appreciated; N. regularly to N. C, 



