7 



Order I. ACCIPITRES. Family I. Vitltomm:. 



The fourth Subfamily, 



GYPOHIERACINiE, or Eagle-Vultures, 



have the Bill lengthened, much compressed on the sides, and the base covered with a Cere for one third 

 of the length of the bill ; the Wings lengthened and pointed ; and the Tarsi covered with rather large 

 reticulated scales. 



Gypohierax Rupp.* 



Bill lengthened, much compressed on the sides, the base of the upper mandible covered with a cere 

 for one third of the length of the bill, the culmen slightly arched and curved to the tip, which is acute ; 

 the nostrils exposed, placed in front of the cere, with the openings oblique and sub-ovate. Wings 

 lengthened and pointed, with the third and fourth quills the longest. Tail rather short and rounded. 

 Tarsi as long as the middle toe, robust, feathered below the knee, and the rest covered with large 

 reticulated scales. Toes rather long, strong, and much scutellated, the lateral ones unequal, and the 

 hind toe as long as the inner, both being armed with strong powerful claws. The Lores, the space 

 round each eye, and two longitudinal stripes below the lower mandible, denuded of feathers. 



The type of this genus is supposed to be peculiar to Western Africa, but its habits are, from its rarity, at present 

 unknown. 



G. angolensis (Gmel.) Riipp. Shaw, Lev. Mus. pi. p. 153. — Polyborus ? hypoleucus Benn. Jard. & Selby's 111. Orn. n. s. pi. 13. 

 * The above generic name was proposed by Dr. Ruppell in (Fauh. Abyss. Vog.p. 45.) 1835 ; and Mr. Gray's Racarna of 1 840 is coequal. 



July, 1844. 



