908 General Notes. [ November, 
distal or ungual points of the feet ; this has a transverse facet at 
its base, that articulates with a similarly placed surface at the ex- 
tremity of the index digit, rather towards its outer side. It is 
supported in addition to the aid the common skin affords, by lig- 
aments attached to the bone above. It is not uncommon to find 
a slight inequality in size, when the claws of the two sides are 
compared in the same specimen—this remark holds good for 
other individuals of the family. No doubt, when we come to ex- 
amine a larger series of specimens, this appendage will be found 
to differ in size according to the age, or perhaps in some cases 
the idiosyncrasy of the individual. In Sarcorhamphus gryphus, 
it was seen to possess all of the characteristics just described as 
they occur in our Californian Condor, only that in the first it was 
not found to be nearly so large,nor so much curved. It doesnot 
appear to attain any very great size in Sarcorhamphus papa, 
where also it becomes still less curved. : 
In a specimen of Catharista atrata that I have before me, this 
claw is subcompressed from side to side, sharp behind, rounded 
anteriorly, slightly curved from before, backwards, and occupies 
a facet on the anterior third of the extremity of the index digit. 
In other birds examined of this species, this rule was departed 
from, in the claw being apparently less curved, and flatter ; in this 
seemed to be its constant condition in Cathartes aura. 
Turning to the vultures of the Old World, which we are aware 
have been placed with the Falconide, this:claw could in no in- 
Stance be found; neither Neophron, nor Gypogeranus serpenta- 
rius exhibit any such feature, in short, it seems to be confined, as 
far as the vultures are concerned, to our family of Cathartide, 
and as here developed, constitutes an additional character, refera- 
ble both to external features and internal structure, for deferen-— 
tial diagnosis, separating these birds from the Old World vultures. 
—K. W. Shufeldi, M. D., Washington, D. C. 
Tue Paper Navritus aGatn in New Jersey.—I have to report 
for the third time, the discovery of an Argonauta on the ew 
Jersey coast. It was found in September at Long Branch, 
and the other at Point Pleasant, about fifteen miles south. 
too, was a fresh shell. Thus, beginning with the summer, 
the marine 
is a native of the Tropics—* in up!” Has the Gulf Strea 
got a new kink ?—S. Lockwood, Freehold, N. ¥., Oct. 12, 1881- 
. _ Zootocicat Notrs.—The ty f family of fresh-water 
oe tae ES, pe of a new family of fresh" 
_ Worms, remotely allied to the Lumbriculida and Tubificide eas. 
