the sixth, but considerably longer than the seventh. The inner webs of the first four quill
feathers are narrowed or'sinuated from near their middles ; and the outer webs, from the
second to the fifth inclusive, are also narrowed. The tail is rounded, the exterior feathers
being an inch and a half shorter than the middle ones. The tarsi are naked, strong, and not
very long, and are covered with small rounded convex scales. The toes are long, particularly the
middle one, which is covered above to the base by transverse shield-shaped scales; the first
phalanx of the outer toe is reticulated; the lateral toes are nearly equal to each other in
length, and more than an inch shorter than the middle one, to the first phalanx of which
they are connected by webs, the outer web being most conspicuous. The posterior toe is
more slender and shorter than any of the anterior ones. The nails are moderately strong,
short, and slightly curved.
Dimensions.
Illicbes. Line
Length from the poinlrof the bill to the end of
the tail .. •.> . : • • • __• , 31 0
,, of the hill from the angle of the mouth 2 3
■ of the bill, measured along its ridge . 2 6
,, of the horny tip of the bill . 1 0
„ of the long diameter of the nostrils
„ from the. anterior margin of the orbit,
0 6
to the tip of the bill, in a straight Lines.
line . • . - 2 3
Length of the longest quill feather . 17 0
„ of the tarsus . . . 2 6
„ of the middle toe and its claw . 3 3
„ of the daw alone . 0 9
,, of the hind-toe and claw . 1 2
ghä 2. C a t h a r t e s a t r a t u s . (Nobis.) Black Vulture.
Genus. Black VultCuareth, aortre Cs.a rrIiioxni gCreorw. (Vultur Atratus). W _ ilson, ix., p. 104, pi. 75> fig- 2.
Cathartes Iota*. Bonaparte, Syn. p. 22, sp. 5.
L’Urubu. (Sub-genus, Les Percnoptères.) CvviE&. Eegn. An., i., p. 317-
Carrion Crow. Un ited States.
I did not meet with this bird, nor have I seen specimens of it brought from
the districts to which this work is confined; but it is introduced here on the
authority of Mr. David Douglas, who says,—“ Throughout the whole of the
country that I visited to the west of the Rocky Mountains, the Black Vulture was,
I might say, daily seen. In the upper countries around Spokan, Oakanagan, and
on Lewis and Clark’s River, the plains of the Multnomah, and at Puget Sound,
near camps or Indian villages, on the banks of rivers abounding with fish, or in
* We have not considered it expedient to apply to this bird the specific name of Iota, given by Mollina to a Hlack
Vulture of Chili. In the first place, there is no evidence to prove that it is the same as the Turkey-Buzzard of North
America ; and secondly, it must be remembered that the work of thisTauthor was “fa,l * mimnre m Italic, el fori
suspect cn plusieurs endroits.” (Cnvixa, Reg. An., iv., p. 143.) Sw.
VULTURIDÆ.
places where deer are numerous, this bird is common Mr. Ord informs us,
that I the Black Vultures are indolent, and may be observed in companies, loitering
for hours together in one place. They do not associate with the Turkey Vultures,
and are much darker in their plumage ; their mode of flight also varies from that
of the latter. The Black Vulture flaps its wings five or six times rapidly, then sails with them extended nearly horizontally; the Turkey Buzzard seldom flaps
its wings, and when sailing they form an angle, with the body upwards. The latter,
though found in the vicinity of towns, rarely ventures within them, and then
always appearing cautious of the near approach of any on* It is not so
impatient of cold as the former, and is likewise less lazy. The Black Vulture on
the ground hops along very awkwardly ; the Turkey Buzzard, though seeming y
inactive, hops along with an even gait. The latter, unless pressed by hunger,
will not eat of a carcass until it becomes putrid ; the former is not so febdaous,
but devours animal food without distinction.”—“ The Black Vulture builds its
nest in the large trees of low wet swamps, to which places they retire every
evening to rest.”
description,
From Wilson’s American Ornithology.
“ 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 for near an inch; the remainder,
the head, and a part of the neck, are covered with a black, wrinkled carunclf 1
skin, beset with short black hairs, and downy behind. Nostril an oblong slit. Indes 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 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 toe
two inches, and considerably webbed ; inner toe rather the shortest, claws strong, ut
sharp, like those of the Falco genus; middle claw three-quarters of an inch long. T e
stomach is not lined with hair, as reported. When opened, this, bird smells strongly of
musk.”
See Note, p. 4.