SARCORAMPHINiE. 
These birds are scattered over the most elevated mountains of the New World, from the Straits of Magellan to the 
South-Western States of North America. They generally live in pairs. Mr. Darwin remarks of the first species, that, “ on 
coming suddenly to the brow of the precipice, it was a fine sight to see between twenty and thirty of these great birds start 
heavily from their resting-place, and wheel away in majestic circles. They moved in large curves, sweeping in circles, 
descending and ascending without any apparent exertion ; and are oftentimes seen at a great height, soaring over a 
certain spot in the most graceful spires and circles.” It is from these elevated peaks that they descend into the valleys 
and plains to seek for their food, which consists principally of carcasses of the large mammalia. When satisfied, they 
retire to their separate ledges to rest, and to digest their food. The second species seem to belong more especially 
to the plains, otherwise their habits coincide. As the summer approaches, these birds seek the most inaccessible 
parts of the mountains to rear their young. The female does not form any kind of nest, but deposits two large eggs 
on a projecting ledge of rock. 
1. s. Gryphus (Linn.) Golilf. Naturh. Atlas t. 107-, Humb. Obs. 2. S. Papa (Linn.) Bum. PI. enl. 428. Le Vaill. Ois. cl’Afr. t. 13., 
de Zool. t. 1 3., Pr. Bonap. Amer. Orn. iv. pi. 1., Temm. Pi. col. 133. Spix Av. Bras. 1. 1. 
408. & 4*94. — Vultur magellanicus Shaw’s Lev. Mus. pi. 1., Voy. de 
la Bonite, Ois. t. 2. 
Cathartes Illig .* 
Bill long, covered with a soft cere for two thirds of its length ; the apical part strong and arched to 
the acute tip, and the sides compressed, especially at the tip ; the nostrils placed in the front of the cere, 
large and exposed. Wings lengthened, pointed, noth the third and fourth quills equal and longest. Tail 
moderate, even or rounded at its end. Tarsi shorter than the middle toe, plumed below the knee, and 
covered with small reticulated scales. Toes moderate ; the lateral ones short, equal, and united with the 
middle one by a membrane ; the hind toe very short and weak ; and the claws strong, and slightly curved. 
Head and the upper part of the neck denuded of feathers. 
These migratory birds are found scattered over various parts of the American Continent, the West Indies, and the 
Falkland Islands. Mr. Darwin remarks that “ these vultui'es certainly arc gregarious ; for they seem to have pleasure in 
each other’s society, and arc not solely brought together by the attraction of a common prey. On a fine day, a flock 
may often be seen at a great height, each bird wheeling round and round in the most graceful evolutions.” They feed 
on dead carcasses and every kind of filth during the hot season ; those which inhabit the sea coasts and islands subsisting 
on what the sea throws up and on dead seals, &c. Small living animals, reptiles, and eggs, especially those of the 
alligators, also form a portion of their food. The nest is formed in a hollow tree, or carelessly placed between rocks, or 
even upon the ground, of a few dry leaves or feathers. The female lays two to four eggs ; and the young, when hatched, 
are clothed in white down. 
1. C .fastens Illiger. — Vultur urubu Vieill. Ois. de l’Amer. Sept. t. 
2. ; Vultur iota (Gruel.') Wils. Amer. Orn. pi. 75. f. 2 . ; V. atratus 
Bartr. 
2. C. Aura (Linn.) Illiger Ois. de 1’Amer. Sept. t. 2. bis, D’Orb. 
Voy. dans 1’ Amer. Mer. Ois. t. 1. f. 1. — Vultur iota Mol. 
3. C. calif ornianus (Shaw), Shaw’s Misc. pi. 301. — Cathartes 
vulturinus Temm. PI. col. 31. 
* This genus of Illiger ( Prodromus , p. 236.) was established in 1811 ; and, in 1816, Vieillot proposed Catharista , which is coequal. 
October, 1844. 
