436 BIRDS— CATHAETID^. 



He again speaks of these birds as follows : 



" Our old favorites alluded to in the third number of the Family Visitor, have again 

 occupied their old eyrie, and at this time evidently have young in it. Thia is inferred 

 from the watchfulness and anxiety shown by the parent birds at the approach of any 

 one towards their resort, and from the circumstance that they are frequently carrying 

 fish from the lake into their nest. It is situated so high in the branching top of a large 

 oak that nothing can be seen within it by a person on the groaud. Daring the present 

 season its size has been greatly augmented by the addition of dry sticks. 



A few days since four of those biped nuisances, termed hunters, which are con- 

 stantly swarming from this city commenced shooting at these birds but fortunately 

 their attack was nnsucoessfal." 



Mr. Kirkpatrick, writing in 1858, says the nest was still occupied by 

 this pair of birds. 



The Washington Eagle (ff. washingtonii), to which so frequent reference 

 is made, is now held, without dissent, to be the young of the White- 

 headed Eagle, which is known to exceed the adult in size. 



In the immediate vicinity of Columbus, the white headed Eagle is 

 rare, and migrant or winter visitor. I have not seen one for twenty 

 years, but a fine adult specimen was observed on Alum Creek, about four 

 miles from the city, by my friends, Doctors PuUerton and Landis, in 

 September last. I have seen it in October, at the Licking County 

 Reservoir, and have been informed that it remains through the sum- 

 mer and probably breeds there. About thirty years since, when a fatal 

 epidemic prevailed among cattle. Eagles appeared in considerable num- 

 bers in the northern part of this county and fed upon the carcasses of 

 the victims. 



In the vicinity of Cincinnati, Mr. Langdon states that they are some- 

 times common in winter. In Union county they appear every winter, 

 and doubtless there are many localities in the grazing portions of the 

 State where they are regular visitors if not residents. 



The eggs are from two to four in number, white, unspotted, nearly 

 spherical, measuring about 3 inches by 2.75. 



FAMILY CATHARTID./E. AMERICAN VULTURES. 



Feet scarcely raptorial, with lengthened, little curved or contractile, weak, short 

 claws. Hallux elevated, shortened, not more than half as long as the fourth toe, with 

 small claw. Front toes all webbed at base; middle toe lengthened; outer not rever- 

 sible. Basal phalanx of middle toe longer than either of the succeeding. Nostrils per- 

 forate. Bill lengthened and comparatively weak, little hooked, contracted in its con- 

 tinuity ; tomia not toothed or lobed. Head naked of feathers in greatest part ; sparsely 

 bristly. No lower larynx developed. No coeoa, After-shafts absent. 



