is species is similar to the last but has no
white streak under the eye, and the underparts are buffy. Eggs, creamy
white. Size 1.15 x .90.

323. BLUE-HEADED QUAIL DOVE. _Starnoenas cyanocephala._

Range.--Cuba, accidentally straying to Key West, but not in recent
years.

It is a beautiful species, with a bright blue crown, black throat and
stripe through the eye, separated by a white line under the eye. The
rest of the plumage is of a brownish or rusty color. Eggs buffy white.
Size 1.30 x 1.05.

[Illustration 198: Inca Dove. Ground Dove.]
[Illustration: White.]
[Illustration: deco.]
[Illustration: left hand margin.]

Page 197

[Illustration 199: CALIFORNIA VULTURE.]

Page 198

VULTURES, HAWKS and OWLS. Order XII. RAPTORES

AMERICAN VULTURES. Family CATHARTIDAE

Vultures are peculiarly formed birds of prey, having a bare head and
neck, a lengthened bill strongly hooked at the end for tearing flesh,
and long, strong, broad wings upon which they float in the air for hours
at a time without any visible flapping. They are scavengers and do great
service to mankind by devouring dead animal matter, that, if allowed to
remain, would soon taint the atmosphere. Their eyesight and sense of
smell is very acute. They do not, except in very unusual cases, capture
their prey, but feed upon that which has been killed or died of disease.

324. CALIFORNIA VULTURE. _Gymnogyps californianus._

Range.--Apparently now restricted to the coast ranges of California,
casually inland to Arizona, and formerly to British Columbia.

This large bird, which weighs about 20 pounds, measures about 4 feet in
length, and has an expanse of wings of about 10 feet. Its plumage is
blackish with lengthened lanceolate feathers about the neck, and with
the greater wing coverts broadly tipped with grayish white (in very old
birds). The birds are very rare in their restricted range and are
becoming scarcer each year, owing to their being shot and their nests
robbed. While the eggs are very rarely found and only secured at a great
risk, they are not as unobtainable as many suppose, as may be seen from
the fact that one private collection contains no less than six perfect
specimens of the eggs and as many mounted birds. These birds lay but a
single egg, placing it generally in caves or recesses in the face of
cliffs, hundreds of feet from the ground, and often in inaccessible
locations. The eggs are of an ashy gray color and measure about 4.45