[3]. In the case of the Cathartes Aura, Mr. Owen, in some notes read before the Zoological Society, (See Magazine of Nat. Hist. New Ser. vol. i. p. 638.) has demonstrated from the developed form of the olfactory nerves, that this bird must possess an acute sense of smell. It was mentioned on the same evening, in a communication from Mr. Sells, that on two occasions, persons in the West Indies having died, and their bodies not being buried till they smelt offensively, these birds congregated in numbers on the roof of the house. This instance appears quite conclusive, as it was certain, from the construction of the buildings, that they must have gained the intelligence by the sense of smell alone, and not by that of sight. It would appear from the various facts recorded, that carrion-feeding hawks possess both senses, in a very high degree.
[4]. Voyage dans l’Amérique Méridionale, vol. iii. p. 24.
[5]. In this work, whenever the particular name of any colour is given, or it is placed within commas, it implies, that it is taken from comparison with Patrick Syme’s edition of Werner’s Nomenclature of Colours.
[6]. Mileago Chimango of this work.
[7]. Novorum Actorum Academiæ Cæsariæ, Leopol. vol. xvi. p. 62. Observationes Zoologicas, F. J. Meyenii.
[8]. Tom. iii. p. 162.
[9]. Voyage dans l’Amérique Meridionale Partie, Oiseaux, p. 52.
[10]. Perhaps to this genus belong Muscicapa thamnophiloides and cinerea, figured by Spix, in his Aves, pl. 26. f. 1 and 2. G. R. Gray.
[11]. Molina, in his account of Chile, attributes this nest, I believe, through an error, to Mimus thenca.
[12]. Journal of Researches during the Voyage of the Beagle, p. 60.