218 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 
Orpver RAPTORES.—Birps or Prey. (age2.) 
Families. 
a, Head entirely naked, or else only partially covered with down (in young) ; nos- 
trils longitudinal; a distinct web between inner and middle toes, at base; 
hind-toe short, elevated, the feet wholly unfit for grasping. (Suborder Sar- 
COTRAMPHL.)..sseccceneccensseeccseserecsetseeseeseceeeseaneans Cathartidz. (Page 218.) 
a, Head entirely feathered or only partially naked; nostrils vertical or roundish ; 
no web between inner and middle toes; hind-toe well developed, with large, 
sharp claw, inserted at the same level with anterior toes, the feet specially 
adapted for grasping. 
b'. Hyes lateral, not surrounded by disks of radiating feathers; cere exposed; 
outer toe not reversible (except in Pandion). (Suborder Falcones.) 
Falconidz. (Page 222.) 
b*, Eyes directed forward, surrounded by disks of radiating feathers ; cere con- 
cealed by loral and frontal bristle-like feathers; outer toe reversible. 
(Suborder Striges.) 
c. Inner toe as long as middle toe; inner edge of middle claw pectinated ; 
feathers on hinder part of tarsus recurved, or pointed upward; first 
quill longer than third, none of the quills with inner webs sinuated 
OF CEMATGINALET.....seceoeserrerscecrsccnssceceessens Strigidz. (Page 255.) 
c’. Inner toe decidedly shorter than middle toe; inner edge of middle claw 
not pectinated; feathers on hinder part of tarsus (if present) pointed 
downward; first quill shorter than third, and at least one (one to 
six) quill with inner web sinuated or emarginated. 
Bubonidz. (Page 255.) 
Famity CATHARTID2®.—Tue American Vuttures. (Page 218.) 
Genera. 
a. Cere decidedly shorter than the upper mandible; bill very strong, with all its 
outlines decidedly convex. Adult males with a fleshy “comb” or lobe sur- 
mounting the top of the cere. 
b'. Plumage of adult commencing on the neck with a very distinct collar of 
white cottony down; primaries decidedly longer than secondaries; 
throat with a median “dewlap”; “comb” of adult male extending from 
near anterior border of cere to middle of the crown; sexes very different, 
the female lacking entirely the “comb” or other fleshy appendages to 
the head; very large (wing 30.00, or more)........--.ce0008 Sarcorhamphus. 
1 Sarcorhamphus Duménrit, Zool. Anal. 1806, 32, Type, by elimination, Vultur gryphus Linn. 
