300 ZOOLOGY. 
pine trees of that region; and the eggs, two in number, are as large as those 
of the goose. 
The well known Turkey Buzzard and the Carrion Crow belong to this genus. 
Both are abundant in the southern states of North America, where they are 
found to be so useful in the removal of dead animals as to be protected by law. 
The former species (C. aura, Linn.) inhabits the north, though sparingly, as 
far as about latitude 41°. It makes its nest in the hollow stump of a tree; its 
eggs are about the size of those of a turkey, of a yellowish white color, with 
dark brown and blackish spots. The young are covered with down of a white 
color, which gives them a very singular appearance, and contrasts strongly 
with the black plumage of their parents. 
There is a small species (C. burrovianus, Cassin) which inhabits Mexico, — 
somewhat similar to the common species (C. atratus, Bertram), but is much 
smaller. It is, in fact, the least of known vultures. America, therefore, pro- 
duces the largest and smallest of the vultures of the world, which are the 
condor and the bird here alluded to. Those birds of this genus found in great 
numbers in South America were long supposed to be strictly identical with 
those of the northern continent, but have recently been represented to be dif- 
ferent ; they appear, however, to be strictly similar in their general characters 
and habits, which are the same as those of all other vultures. 
Fam. 2. Fatcontp&. Size greatly varied, but generally moderate and 
formed for rapid flight. Head and neck generally fully clothed; bill 
strongly curved and generally conspicuously toothed or festooned, very 
acute. Claws generally very strong and exceedingly sharp, especially those 
of the inner and hinder toes. Wings generally long; tail os 
broad. 
The Falconide, which include the Hawks, Eagles, Kites, and other genera 
of similar general form and habits, oxkibis the pestection of the rapacious 
characters. They differ essentially from the vultures; their forms are 
more graceful and their courage much greater. Endowed with great swift- 
ness and generally much boldness and cunning, and with beaks and claws 
expressly adapted to such purpose, they prey almost exclusively upon animals 
killed by themselves. The larger species feed upon quadrupeds, birds, and 
reptiles ; a few upon fishes, and many of the smaller live exclusively upon 
insects. The plumage varies greatly with sex and age, and maturity of 
plumage is usually only attained in several years. The female is usually 
fully one third larger than the male, and is frequently more vigorous 
and rapacious. The young have generally elongated spots on the breast 
and belly, where the adult has transverse bands or lines, or is un- 
spotted. 
The Falconide vary in size greatly, the largest species, the Great Sea 
Eagle of northern Asia and America (Haliaétus pelagicus), being nearly the 
size of the condor, and one of the largest of birds; while the smallest, which is 
the little Java Hawk (AMeraxr cerulescens), is scarcely superior in size to our 
common bluebird. 
The geographic range of this family includes the whole world: it is in 
tropical countries, where life teems most profusely, that the species are 
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