CATHABTES BUBBOVIANUS. 
BURROUGHS’ VULTURE. 
OATHARTES BURROV1AMIS. Cassi.v. Proc. Acad. Nat. Scien., p. 212. (1845.) 
The family of the Vulturidse, although comparatively limited in the number of its species, has its representatives in every quarter 
of the world, New Holland alone excepted. They are chiefly inhabitants of warm latitudes, and in their office of scavengers are 
useful in the highest degree. Under the fierce rays of the tropical sun, everything bereft of life rapidly decays, and were it not 
for the opportune services of the repulsive looking Vulture, epidemics would probably prevail. But from their lofty stations, high up 
amid the “ethereal blue,” these birds, on untiring wing, sailing along in easy graceful flight, survey with their keen gaze the 
landscape stretched out below them. Should any animal be overtaken by death, they immediately rush to the banquet, and perhaps 
even before the body has become cold, are busily engaged in its removal. With snake-like hissings, strange contortions and angry 
scufflings, their plumage disarranged and bedraggled, the naked heads and necks covered with blood, and their eyes jealously watching- 
all intruders who may venture into the neighborhood of the unsavory feast, they tear the flesh and gorge themselves to repletion. 
When they have satisfied their appetites, they wall sit, in a semitorpid state, upon the ground or on the branch of some tree close 
at hand, hardly noticing anything- that may approach them ; but should one be suddenly seized upon, or wounded, it will endeavor 
to regain its power of locomotion by disgorging what it may have swallowed. 
This family contains, with the exception of the Ostrich and its congeners, the largest members of the feathered race, and although 
they are provided with powerful beaks to enable them to tear their food, yet not being accustomed to seize or grapple with their 
prey, their claws are generally feeble and slender. The majority of the Vulturidae are unseemly in appearance, sluggish in habits, and 
not over tidy in their plumage, but exceptional cases are found among them, such as the Gypaetus Barbatus or Lammergeyer of the 
Alps, which for elegance of form, courageous disposition, and activity on the wing, may be favorably compared with the Eagles. 
North America has but two genera of this family, viz., Sa rewhatnp hus, containing the S. Papa, probably the most beautiful 
species known, and Gathartes, including the California Yulture, — rivalling in size the mighty Condor of the Andes, — the Turkey Buzzard, 
Black Yulture, and the species which heads this article. 
The power of sight possessed by these birds is wonderful, enabling them to perceive their prey from so vast a height, that they 
themselves are entirely beyond the reach of human vision. In the southern portion of our country, where some of the species 
are common, I have often been present when an animal had been just killed, and although no Vulture was in sight at the moment, 
in any direction, either on the plain or in the sky, but few minutes would elapse before they began to arrive, dropping seemingly out of 
the very clouds. At first they would come singly, then a few together, until in a short time the grouud in the vicinity would be 
covered with them, or they would alight close by upon the trees, waiting for me to retire, before commencing their onslaught upon 
the quarry. 
They walk easily, sometimes progressing by a succession of quick hops; but it is in the air they appear to the best advantage. 
After the first few flaps made when rising they rarely move the wings, but seem to ascend and descend by simple volition, the momentum 
increased or diminished without apparent effort. Many a time have I watched several of them together, sailing above me, crossing each 
other’s circuit, and executing all manner of curves without any perceptible movement of the wing-feathers. 
Burroughs’ Yulture is the smallest of the group to which it belongs, and is a native of Mexico and Lower California, without doubt 
extending its range into Texas, although I am not aware that any specimen has been obtained within the limits of that State. It is 
readily distinguished from all its relatives by a much smaller size, and by having the feathers ascend on the back of the neck nearly 
to the top of the head, in this respect differing entirely from the 0. Aura to which it bears the closest resemblance. My friend Mr. 
John Cassin, well known for his high attainments in this branch of science, first described this species, from a specimen obtained in 
the vicinity of Yera Cruz by Dr. Burroughs, whose name was given to it. 
It may be described as follows ; Head naked, red. Entire plumage of a very deep miiform blackish brown, paler beneath ; the 
neck destitute of a ruff, but the feathers extended upwards on the back of the neck nearly to the occiput. Tail black ; shafts oi 
the primaries white. Feet, light brown. 
