CATHABTII)^: AMERICAN VULTURES. 



559 



537. 



drelet of ordinary feathers all around the neck ; the naked skin corrugated and sparsely beset 

 ■with bristles, especially a patch before the eye. Bill long, moderately stout and hooked, the 

 nostrils large, eUiptioal, completely pervious, the cere contracted opposite them. Wings 

 extremely long, not particularly broad, pointed, folding beyond the tail, which is short and 

 rounded. Point of the wing formed by 3d or 4th quill ; 2d and 5th neaiiy as long ; 1st much 

 shorter ; outer 4 or 5 emarginate on inner webs. Tarsus about as long as middle toe without 

 claw. Of Gathartes as restricted there are several species described, but only one is estab- 

 lished as N. Am. They are noted for their extraordinary powers of sailing flight. 

 C. au'ra. (Vox barb., name of the bird. Fig. 387.) Turkey Buzzakd. Adult $ ?: 



Fiu . 387. — Turkey Buzzard, i nat. size. (From Brehm.) 



Blackish-brown, grayer on the wing-coverts ; quiUs black, ashy-gray on their under surface ; 

 tail black, with pale brown shafts. Head red, from livid crimson to pale carmine, with whitish 

 specks usually ; bill dead white ; feet flesh-colored ; iris brown. Length 3i-2i feet ; extent 

 about 6 feet; wing 3 feet or less ; tail a foot or less ; tarsus 2.25 inches; middle toe without 

 claw rather more; outer toe 1.50; inner 1.25 ; hind 0.75 ; chord of culmen vrithout cere 1.00. 

 Weight 4-5 pounds. Young darker than the adults ; hill and skin of head dark, the latter 

 downy. Nestlings covered with whitish down. U. S. and adjoining provinces, Atlantic to 

 Pacific, and south clear through C. and S. Am. ; N. to about 53°; resident N. to about 40°, 

 beyond which migratory, being starved out in winter. Nests on the ground, or near it in 

 hollow stumps or logs, generally in communities. Eggs commonly 2, sometimes 1, about 



