CINCINNATI ZOO GUIDE 
female by its crest which extends over the top of the head and 
part of the beak. It was long supposed that the vultures dis¬ 
covered their prey at a distance of several miles by sense of 
smell, but it is now generally admitted that they are guided 
chiefly by their keen eyesight. In walking, their gait is slow and 
heavy, and their body is maintained in a horizontal position. 
When about to fly they are compelled to take several leaps 
before they can raise their weight from the ground. The 
collection includes the Pondicherry ( Vulture calvus) and 
Black Vulture ( Catharista atrata). 
The Cinereous Vulture ( Vultur cinerus). This vulture has 
a spread of wings of eight feet and inhabits southern Europe. 
The Griffon Vulture ( Gypsfulvus). Not quite as large as the 
former and inhabits northern Europe. 
Buzzards. They are generally very large and are heavy in their 
flight. The eagles are closely allied with them. The collection in 
the Garden includes the Turkey Buzzard ( Cathartes aura) of 
North America, which is too familiar to be described, and the 
Caracara ( Polyborus cheriway ), which is noted for its slender 
beak and talons. Their prey consists mostly of reptiles and 
insects. They feed on offal and carrion, and in this resemble the 
vultures. Their plumage is brown, marked with white. 
Hawks. The collection of hawks includes the Red-Tailed 
Hawk ( Buteo borealis ), the Red-Shouldered Hawk, and the 
Sparrow Hawk ( Falcon sparverius ). 
OWLS 
Large, soft, blinking eyes, surrounded by a peculiar disk of 
feathers which radiate, making a funnel-shaped depression, a 
small-hooked beak, just discernible among the downy plumage 
which surrounds it, and a round head, are characteristic of the 
members of the owl family, which, by reason of their uniform 
look of wisdom, have been selected as symbols of wisdom itself. 
Almost without exception owls are nocturnal, and their organs 
of vision are peculiarly adapted for such life. They can not 
endure the glare of daylight, their eyes being formed expressly 
