22 
Synopsis of the Birds 
FAMILY I. VULTURINI. 
V ulturiniy III. Vieill. Latr. Jlccipitres diurni , Cuv. 
Rapaces diurni , Ranz. 
Head and part of the neck naked, former often carun di- 
late ; generally a collar of feathers round the neck. Eyes 
not sunk deep. Crop prominent, naked or woolly. Feet 
naked ; tarsus shorter than the middle toe ; outer toes connect- 
ed at base by a membrane ; nails not much incurved, rather 
obtuse, hardly retractile. Wings elongated, subacuminate. 
Young with the head entirely covered with down. 
Gregarious ; cowardly ; voracious ; feed on carcasses and 
filth, very serviceable in hot climates, and protected by law 
in the cities of the southern states : sometimes prey upon 
small living animals, reptiles, and birds’ eggs. Diffuse a 
disagreeable odour. Lay but two eggs. Disgorge food from 
the crop to feed their young. 
1. CATHARTES. 
Vultur , L . Briss. Gm. Lath. Cuv. Sarcoramphus , Bumeril . 
Neophron , Savigny. Cathartes , 111. Town. Ranz. 
Vultur, Gypagus , Catharista , Vieill. 
Bill elongated, straight at base ; upper mandible covered 
to the middle by the cere ; nostrils medial, approximate, oval, 
pervious, naked ; tongue canaliculate, edges serrate. Head 
elongated, depressed, rugose. Tarsus rather slender ; lateral 
toes equal; middle one much the longest; inner free; hind 
toe shortest. First primary rather short; third and fourth 
longest. 
Inhabit both continents. 
SUBGENUS CATHARTES. 
Bill robust : tail of twelve feathers. Peculiar to America. 
1. Cathartes californianus, Raoz. Blackish; feathers of the 
collar and breast lanceolate ; wings reaching much beyond 
the tail. 
Vultur californianus , Lath. Cathartes vulturinus , Temm . 
