18 
CATHARTES ATRATUS. 
extremely indolent, and will frequently remain, for a 
long time, almost motionless, with its wings extended, 
sunning itself upon the rocks, or the roofs of the houses. 
When in pain, which is the only time that it is known 
to make any noise, it utters a sharp cry like that of a 
rat ; and usually disgorges what it has eaten. The flesh 
of this bird emits a fetid smell that is highly offensive. 
The manner in which it builds its nest, is perfectly 
correspondent to its natural indolence : it carelessly 
places between rocks, or even upon the ground, a few 
dry leaves or feathers, upon which it lays two eggs of a 
dirty white.”* 
The black vulture is twenty-six inches in length, and 
four feet four inches in extent ; the bill is two inches 
and a half long, of a dark horn colour as far as near an 
inch ; the remainder, the head, and a part of the neck, 
are covered with a black, wrinkled, caruncled skin, 
beset with short black hairs, and downy behind ; nostril, 
an oblong slit ; irides, reddish hazel ; the throat is dashed 
with yellow ochre ; the general colour of the plumage 
is of a dull black, except the primaries, which are 
whitish on the inside, and have four of their broadened 
edges below of a drab, or dark cream colour, extending 
two inches, which is seen only when the wing is 
unfolded; the shafts of the feathers white on both sides ; 
the rest of the wing feathers dark on both sides ; the 
wings, when folded, are about the length of the tail, 
the fifth feather being the longest ; the secondaries are 
two inches shorter than the tail, which is slightly forked ; 
the exterior feathers three quarters of an inch longer 
than the rest; the legs are limy, three inches and a 
half in length, and, with the feet, are thick and strong ; 
the middle toe is four inches long, side toes, two inches, 
and considerably webbed, inner toe rather the shortest ; 
claws strong, but not sharp, like those of the falco 
genus ; middle claw three quarters of an inch long ; the 
stomach is not lined with hair, as reported. When 
opened, this bird smells strongly of musk. 
Hist. Chili, Am. trans. i, p. 185. 
