( 17 ) 
Vultures have their eyes even with their heads; their tarsi 
reticulated, that is to say, covered with little roundish scales 
(fig. 19) ; the beak long, curved only at the end; a greater or 
lesser part of the head, or even of the neck, naked of feathers. 
The strength of their falons is not proportionate to their size, and 
they make more use of their beak. Their wings are so long, that 
they hold them half extended when walking. They are cowardly 
birds, and feed on carrion oftener than on living prey; after they 
have eaten, their crop forms a large projection above their furcula 
(fig. 29) ; a foetid humour runs from their nostrils, and they are 
almost reduced to a state of stupidity. (1) 
The Griffons, placed by Gmelin in the Genus Falco, approach 
near to the Vultures by their manners and conformation. Their 
eyes are even with their head; their talons are proportionably 
weak ; the wings are half spread during the time of repose ; their 
crop, when full, projects from the base of the neck, but their head 
is entirely covered with feathers ; their distinguishing character 
consists in a very strong beak, straight, crook'd at the end, swelled 
at the crook ; and in nostrils covered with stiff bristles directed 
forwards, and a brush of similar bristles under the beak ; their 
tarsi are very short, and feathered as far as the toes ; their wings 
very long, and the third pen feather the longest. (2) 
The only species of Grlffo?i yet known is the F. Barbaras 
(Bearded Vulture, Vulturine Eagle, Lath.) the largest of all Birds 
of Prey in the Old World. Fig. 3i. 
Falcons form by far the most numerous Division of the Diurnal 
(1) The inferior mandible straight, rounded, and inclined towards 
the point; mouth terminating in advance of the eyes; head naked, or 
covered with a very short down; wings sensibly rounded; the first 
remex short, not equalling the sixth; their second and third less long 
than the fourth, which is the longest. Their flight, although slow, 
allows them to rise to a prodigjous height; their ascent is managed by 
winding, and their descent in the same way ; their sight is piercing ; 
the organ of smelling singularly perfect ; their attitude embarrassed, 
and their gait heavy: they live in troops, and feed solely on carrion ; 
They nest on the most inaccessible rocks, carry the nourishment for 
their young in their crops, and vomit it before them. — Tern. 
Their nests are composed of branches and small slips of wood.— ^ 
Dumeril. 
(2) Head small; nostrils ©val ; feet short; four toes, the three front 
united by a short membrane, the middle toe very long. Nails slightly 
crook'd; the first remex of the wing a little shorter than the second. 
They live in pairs, constantly feed on living prey, which they eat on 
the spot without taking any away in their talons. — Tern, 
