R A P T R E S, 



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SYNOPSIS OF THE AMERICAN VULTURES. 



1. Genus SARCORAMPHUS, Dumeril, Analyse, p. 32 (180G). 



1. SARCORAMPHUS GRTPHUS [Linnaeus). — The Condor. 



Vultur gryplms, Linn. Syst. Nat. I, p. 121 (176G). 

 Vultur magellanicus, Shaw, Mus. Lever. I, p. 1. 

 Sarcoramphus cuiitur, Dumeril. 

 Sarcoramphus condor, Lesson, Traite d'Orn. p. 25. 



Bonap. Am. Orn. IV, Plate XXII (young) ; Humboldt, Obs. Zool. 

 Plate VIII ; Temminck, PI. Col. 133, 408, 494 ; Toy. Bonite. Ois. 

 Plate II (young) ; Shaw, Mus. Lever. Plate I. 



The largest of the vultures and one of the largest of birds. Head, 

 neck, and large space on the neck bare ; head above with a caruncle 

 or comb, and others on the sides of the head and neck. Wings long, 

 very strong. Neck, at the commencement of the feathers, with a collar 

 or ruff of white, downy feathers; all other plumage black with a white 

 space on the wing, and with a handsome grayish or frosted tiuge on 

 the back, wings, and tail. Naked space of the head and neck red. 



Total length, from tip of bill to end of tail, about four feet ; wing, 

 from carpal joint to tip (when folded), about two feet six inches ; tail 

 fifteen inches. Male larger ? 



Hab. — Western South America. Specimen in Nat. Mus. Wash- 

 ington, and Acad. Mus. Philadelphia. 



Obs. — Now well known and accurately described by naturalists, 

 but formerly the subject of numerous fictions, principally relating to 

 its size and prowess. Inhabits the Andes, and countries of Western 

 South America, and probably extends into Central America. Never 

 observed in any part of the United States. 



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