660 



SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. —BAPTOBES— CATHARTIDE8. 



2.75 X 1-90, white or creamy, variously spotted and blotched with different 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. (Gr. Ka6apLC<o, hatharizo, I purify.) Carrion Crows. Of medium size; 

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

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

 tracted ; nostrils narrow, less openly pervious than in Catha/rtes. 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 emarginate ; 4th and 5th quills longest. The difference in size and shape 





Fie. 388. — Black Vulture, J nat. size. (From Brehm. ) 



between Catha/rtes 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. atrata, blackened. Fig. 888.) Carrion Crow. Black Vulture. Adult 

 ^ 9 = Entire plumage, including skin of head, and bill, blackish; shafts of the primaries 

 while ; bases of the primaries paling to gray or whitish. Tip of bill and feet grayish-yellow ; 

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

 length about 2 feet; extent only about 4i feet; wing 17.00 inches; tail 8.00; tarsus 3.00; 

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

 eggs similar, but larger, or at any rate longer; about 3.35X2.00. Chiefly S. Atlantic and Gulf 

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

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



