. Key to North American birds. Containing a concise account of every species of living and fossil bird at present known from the continent north of the Mexican and United States boundary, inclusive of Greenland and Lower California, with which are incorporated General ornithology: an outline of the structure and classification of birds; and Field ornithology, a manual of collecting, preparing, and preserving birds. Birds; Birds. 560 SYSTEM A TIC SYNOPSIS. — BAPTOBES — CA THABTIDES. X 1-90, white or creamy, variously spotted and blotched with diflFerent browns, and with lavender or purplis
. Key to North American birds. Containing a concise account of every species of living and fossil bird at present known from the continent north of the Mexican and United States boundary, inclusive of Greenland and Lower California, with which are incorporated General ornithology: an outline of the structure and classification of birds; and Field ornithology, a manual of collecting, preparing, and preserving birds. Birds; Birds. 560 SYSTEM A TIC SYNOPSIS. — BAPTOBES — CA THABTIDES. X 1-90, white or creamy, variously spotted and blotched with diflFerent browns, and with lavender or purplish-drab shell-markings. This species has a curious habit of "playing possum," by simulating death when wounded and captured; the feint is admirably executed and often long protracted. 191. CATHABIS'TA. (Gi: Ka0apiCa>, katharizo, I purify.) Caekion CrOWS. Of medium size; body stout. Head naked, and generally as in Gathartes, but feathers of the neck running up behind to a point on the occiput, the outline of the plumage thus very different. Cere con- tracted ; nostrils narrow, less openly pervious than in Gathartes. Wings shorter and relatively broader than in Gathartes, not folding to the end of the tail, which is short, only about haK the wing, and even or emarginate; 4th and 5th quills longest. The difference in size and shape. Fig. 388. — Black Vulture, J nat. size. {From Brehm,) between Gathartes and Catharista is strikingly displayed when the birds are seen flying together, there is also a decided difference in the mode of flight, as Gatharista never sails for any distance without interrupting that easy motion by flapping the wings. 538. C. atra'ta. (Lat. atrata, blackened. Fig. 388.) Cakrion Crow. Black Vulture. Adult ^ 9 : Entire plumage, including sldn of head, and bill, blackish; shafts of the primaries white; bases of the primaries paling to gray or whitish. Tip of bill and feet grayish-yellow; iris brown; claws black. Smaller than G. aura, in linear
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1890, booksubjectbirds, bookyear1894
