76 



ORNITHOLOGY. 



Dr. Pickering's notes, which we have no doubt relate to this species, 

 are dated at " Callao, May, 1839," and are as follows : " I had seen a 

 few specimens of the black vulture in the vicinity of Rio de Janeiro, 

 and was informed that it sometimes came into the city, but it was 

 only in Peru that I observed this bird abundant in the towns and 

 cities, as has frequently been described. It is exceedingly common 

 in all Western Peru, in the cities, villages, and about habitations in 

 the country, iu fact is abundant everywhere. 



" Great numbers may always be seen at Callao and Lima, in the 

 streets, perched on the house-tops or soaring above, frequently at a 

 great height. In the streets they allow you to pass within a few feet 

 of them, and I observed that they did not scruple to wade into the 

 water to pick up floating substances. The gait of this bird on the 

 ground is a sort of gallop or succession of short leaps, as may be seen 

 particularly when it is disturbed or about to take flight. In the 

 streets it feeds at all times or whenever opportunity is presented, but 

 the general feast appears to be in the morning, before sunrise, when 

 prodigious numbers are to be seen throughout the city. 



" I did not see this species above ^aso, on our journey to the Cor- 

 dilleras, but was informed by Mr. Rich that on the occasion of the 

 slaughtering of a bullock in the square at Obrajillo, it made its appear- 

 ance in considerable numbers, in company with condors." 



In addition to the preceding seven species, there are three others of 

 the same genera, which inhabit the continent of America audits islands. 

 These are : Catliartes urhicola, Des Murs, Rev. et Mag. de Zool. April, 

 1853 (Paris), Cathartes hurrovianus, Cassin, Proc. Acad. Philada. II, 

 p. 212 (1845), and Sarcoramphus sacer (Bartram), Valtur sacra, Bar- 

 tram, Travels in Florida, p. 150 (1791). The last is a doubtful species, 

 though apparently very carefully described by Bartram from recent or 

 living specimens. It is only known, however, by that description, 

 never having been observed since by any naturalist or traveller. 



