336 liROOKLVN INSTITl'TE MLSF.U-M. SCIENCE BULLETIN 2. 6. 
Oripopo de Cabcca Amarilla. Uf these, the one having the "Cabcza 
Colorado" (red head) is much the more common and is probably the 
CBnops pernigra of Sharpe (Cat. Birds Brit. Mus. I, 1874, p. 26). The 
svnoiiomv of the South -\nierican vultures of the genus Catharlcs is in 
some confusion and while 1 ha\e neither the specimens nor the nec- 
essary library facilities to elucidate the tangle, I hope by the descrip- 
tions and careful field notes that follow to make at least two of the 
species found in northern South America recognizable. Mr. E. \\'. 
Nelson did most excellent service determining the status of C. burro- 
viamis^ and by so doing eliminating it from the South American 
vultures, at least from those found on the Orinoco where there is a race 
which it resembles in size but not in other characters. 
In life the two forms found on the Orinoco are distinguishable 
at a glance, one appearing much larger and heavier than the other, 
although the wing and tail measurements are practically the same, as 
will be noted in the tables of measurements given under the species, 
and the head in the case of the larger appearing pink or reddish, while 
that of the smaller is decidedly vellow. 
C.\THARTEs PERNIGRA (Sharpe). 
CEnops pernigra Sharpe. Cat. Birds Brit. Mus. I. 1874. p. 26. 
Cathartes aura pernigra Berlepsch, Ibis. 1884. p. 437 (Angostura). 
Caihartcs burroi'ianus Berlepsch & Hartert, Novit. Zool. IX. 1902. p. in 
(in part). 
Native name Zaiiiiiro Oripopo de Cabe^a Colorado. 
This, the commoner of the two Cathartes seen on the Orinoco, was 
observed at every point visited from Barrancas in the Delta region to 
above the falls of Atures and Maipures. Occasionally one or two 
vultures of this species will lx= seen feeding on ?ome carcass in company 
witli a crowd of Black \'ultures. They are seen only in jniirs or singly, 
and I do not remember ever iiaxing seen one perched on the roof of a 
house, as is the custom with the Black Vultures. 
My field notes for an adult male of this species, (No. 10486 Cherrie 
Collection) taken at Caicara River, Orinoco, March 14, 1898, notes 
written while the bird was perfectly fresh, and before being skinned, are 
as follows : 
Eye golden brown ; bill horn white ; bare skin on head and neck pansy 
'Proc. BioL Soc. Wash. XX'III. lyos. PP- i-'-'-i2S. 
