436 BIRDS—CATHARTIDA. 
He again speaks of these birds as follows: 
‘¢ Our old favorites alluded to in the third number of the Family Visitor, have again 
occupied their old eyrie, and at this time evidently have young init. This is inferred 
from the watchfulness and anxiety shown by the parent birds at the approach of any 
one towards their resort, and from the circumstance that they are frequently carrying 
fish from the lake into their nest. It is situated so high in the branching top of a large 
oak that nothing can be seen within it by a person on the gronnd. Daring the present 
season its size has been greatly augmented by the addition of dry sticks. 
A few days since four of those biped nuisances, termed hunters, which are con- 
stantly swarming from this city commenced shooting at these birds but fortunately 
their attack was unsuccessful.” 
Myr. Kirkpatrick, writing in 1858, says the nest was still occupied by 
this pair of birds. | 
The Washington Eagle (HZ. washingtoniz), to which so frequent reference 
is made, is now held, without dissent, to be the young of the White- 
headed Hagle, which is known to exceed the adult in size. 
In the immediate vicinity of Columbus, the white headed Hagle is 
rare, and migrant or winter visitor. I have not seen one for twenty 
years, but a fine adult specimen was observed on Alum Creek, about four 
miles from the city, by my friends, Doctors Fullerton and Landis, in 
September last. I have seen it in October, at the Licking County 
Reservoir, and have been informed that it remains through the sum- 
mer and probably breeds there. About thirty years since, when a fatal 
epidemic prevailed among cattle, Eagles appeared in considerable num- 
bers in the northern part of this county and fed upon the carcasses of 
the victims. 
In the vicinity of Cincinnati, Mr. Langdon states that they are some- 
times common in winter: In Union county they appear every winter, 
and doubtless there are many localities in the grazing portions of the 
State where they are regular visitors if not residents. 
The eggs are from two to four in number, white, unspotted, nearly 
spherical, measuring about 3 inches by 2.75. 
FAMILY CATHARTIDA. AMERICAN VULTURES. 
Feet scarcely raptorial, with lengthened, little curved or contractile, weak, short 
claws. Hallux elevated, shortened, not more than half as long as the fourth toe, with 
small claw. Front toesall webbed at base; middle toe lengthened; outer not rever- 
sible, Basal phalanx of middle toe longer than either of the succeeding, Nostrils per- 
forate. Bill lengthened and comparatively weak, little hooked, contracted in its con- 
tinuity; tomia not toothed or lobed. Head naked of feathers in greatest part ; sparsely 
bristly. - No lower larynx developed. Noceca. After-shafts absent. 
