CORVINiE. 
PiCATHARTES LeSS.* 
Bill as long as the head, rather depressed, broad at the base, with the culmen curved, and the sides 
compressed to the tip, which is entire ; the lateral margins nearly straight ; the gonys short, and 
advancing upwards ; the nostrils placed anteriorly in a large membranous groove, exposed and rounded. 
Wings reaching beyond the base of the tail, and rounded, with the sixth and seventh quills equal and 
longest. Tail very long and rounded. Tarsi very long and rather slender, with broad scales covering 
the front. Toes moderate, with the lateral toes nearly equal, and the outer united at the base to near 
the first joint of the middle toe ; the hind toe moderate and strong. The upper part and sides of the 
head entirely denuded of feathers, and even of down. 
The type of this genus is peculiar to the interior of Africa. Its habits and manners are unknown. 
P. gymnocephalus (Temra.) Less. PI. col. 227. 
* This genus was originally proposed by Wagler in 1827, under the name of Galgulum, which word having been previously used, I have 
adopted that which was established by M. Lesson {Traite d'Ornithologie, p. 330.) in 1831. 
May, 1846. 
