NEOPHRON. 



This genus, which belongs to the Old World, has for its type Neophron 

 Percnopterus, the Vultur Percnopterus of Linn^kus, Cathartes Percnopterus 

 of Temminck ; its place in America is supplied by Cathartes, restricted as 

 we have before mentioned. From the imperfect or weaker developement of 

 those organs which distinguish the more typical vultures, a corresponding 

 difference is observable in their mode of life. They are if possible more 

 filthy in their habits, preying upon the foulest carrion, and most disgusting 

 offal of every description. In their disposition they also evince more ti- 

 midity, and are destitute of the determinate boldness of the typical Sar- 

 coramphi and larger Vultures. In the economy of nature, however, they 

 perform an important and essential part, clearing the surface from all 

 those noxious substances which would, in the warm climates they inha- 

 bit, be productive of fevers and pestilential disease, if permitted to de- 

 cay naturally. Hitherto the Vulturida have been supposed to possess 

 the sense of smelling in an exquisite degree, and it was imagined that 

 by it they were principally directed to their prey. Later observations, 

 however, so far from confirming this supposition, are directly opposed 

 to it ; and the experiments of Mr Audubon, detailed in his excellent 

 papers on the habits of the American Vulturidce, the Cathartes aura 

 and uruba, go far to prove that it is by their sight alone, and not by 

 smell, that they detect and hunt for their prey. Such being the case with 

 two species subsisting upon carrion and tainted flesh, we may, reasoning 

 analogically, naturally presume that the like holds good with respect to 

 the other groups of the Vulturida. This genus may be divided into two 

 sections, one with the tail cuneiform, the other with it square or even 

 at end. To the latter belongs the species figured by Temminck in the 

 Planches Coloriees % and called by him Cathartes monachus. This also 

 varies from the type in having a greater portion of the hind-neck covered 

 with thick down, instead of feathers ; but in the form and proportion of 

 its bill and legs, it is strictly conformable to Neophron Percnopterus. It is 

 in this section also that the Cathartes melegrades of the same author, and 

 known to him by a figure of the head, will in all probability be entitled to 

 be placed. 



* See PI. Col. PI. 222. 



