The dimensions in the note, p. 1, were those of the largest of two
adult males of the ordinary size, which, however, is considerably less
than that of continental specimens. The tongue is singularly formed,
and may be termed spoon-shaped; or rather it is a half-tube, curved
in its length, having its edges, which are bony, cut into minute and
beautifully regular teeth, pointing backwards. The skin of the head
is naked, except some small scattered hairs, and falls on the occiput
into ten or twelve transverse wrinkles; its colour varies in the same
individual, being sometimes purple, then in a few minutes bright red;
when dead, it is a dull lake-pink. The feet are scaly, white; or
rather dull reddish, covered more or less with a white scurf; the red
hue is most apparent at the upper part of the tarsus; the claws are
horny black. Immediately in front of the eye is a series of irregular
tuberculous excrescences of a dull white, varying in extent.
Like many black birds this Vulture is subject to albinism. There was a
pied one, which for a long time had been occasionally seen in company
with others over Bluefields and the vicinity. I at length invited him
with some flesh, and lying in wait, shot him. The white feathers were
promiscuously interspersed, chiefly on the shoulders, breast, upper and
under tail-coverts, and wing-quills; some of the longest primaries
were wholly, others partially, white; but the wings were not uniform
in the distribution of the colours. This individual was recognisable
almost as far as visible; for the white was very pure. Some, however,
are found much more completely white than this; my negro lad, Sam, had
seen one which had the wings wholly white except some of the least
coverts; and the breast also white.
The situations usually selected in Jamaica by this Vulture for the
laying and hatching of its eggs, are hollows and ledges of rocks in
secluded places, or inaccessible crags and cliffs. A little dry trash
or decaying leaves, are all the apology for a nest. A young one taken
in such a situation, and brought to me in May, was nearly full-fledged,
but bore little resemblance to the adult. The whole body, with the
exception of the winglet, the wing quills, and the tail, was clothed
with down of the purest white, while the naked head with the beak was
black. The eyes, as usual in young birds, were blue-grey. It smelled
strongly, unbearably, of musk; was very fierce, tilting at every thing,
striking with the wings, and leaping forward to bite. It kept up a
continued harsh hissing. The nest contained two young, but they had
begun to wander, though as yet unable to fly.
+Fam.+—FALCONIDÆ. (_The Falcons._)
RED-TAILED BUZZARD.[2]
_Chicken Hawk._
_Buteo borealis._
_Falco borealis_, +Linn.+—Aud. pl. 51.
_Falco Jamaicensis_, +Gmel.+
_Buteo borealis_, +Bechst.+
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