34 
VULTURINiE. 
rate length, generally stout, sometimes rather slender ; 
upper mandible cerate, compressed, with the tip elonga- j 
ted, decurved, rather obtuse, thin-edged ; lower mandible | 
rather slender, with the tip rounded and thin-edged. 
Tongue concave above, or induplicate, with the tip round- 
ed or slightly emarginate, and horny beneath ; oesophagus j 
very wide, dilated into a most capacious crop ; proven- ;| 
triculus wide ; stomach large, thin, or moderately mus- 
cular, with a soft rugous epithelium ; intestine of mode- i 
rate length and width ; coeca minute or wanting. Trachea 
considerably flattened, somewhat tapering, and composed j 
of slender rings ; inferior larynx much flattened, its last i 
entire ring without septum ; bronchi partly membra- 
nous ; no inferior laryngeal muscles, the contractors ter- i 
minating in the sterno-tracheal. Eyes of moderate size. 
Apertures of ears rather small and simple. Nostrils 
oblong, large, or of moderate size. Tarsus stout, bare, 
shorter than the middle toe, which is very long, hind toe ] 
small, second a little shorter than fourth ; anterior toes | 
connected by basal webs ; claws large, moderately curved, ! 
acute. Head and part of neck destitute of feathers ; but 
more or less covered with down or hairs ; plumage full, 
rather compact ; feathers generally ovate, those on the ; 
neck lanceolate ; wings very long, broad, with the third, ! 
fourth, and fifth quills longest ; tail of moderate length, 
with from twelve to sixteen feathers. 
The Vulturine Birds inhabit the tropical and warmer 
temperate regions of both continents, seldom extending 
into the colder. They feed on animal substances, recent 
or putrid. Some of the larger species capture their prey 
by grasping, but others, having the claws less curved, i 
employ the bill, or are content with carcasses. They des- 
cry their food from great distances, soar to a vast height, 
sail in circles, fly sedately, but with considerable speed, 
and are gregarious on occasion, some of the smaller spe- 
cies being habitually so. Undigested substances are dis- 
