ee Andrew Fackson Grayson. [ ZOE. 
_a few feet, without showing any signs of fear, as if it knew that its 
very innocence was a shield of protection. 
They breed three or four times in the year, and I have found 
them nesting in the winter months as well as in the spring and sum- 
mer. The nest which is formed very loosely of small twigs and 
bits of dry grass, is usually placed very low, sometimes in the 
branches of a small bush or on the broad leaves of the Opuntia, 
and not unfrequently they construct a nest under the sheds of 
the houses, if a suitable beam is found. The eggs are two in num- 
ber and pure white. The male assists in incubation and feeding 
the young. 
CALIFORNIA VULTURE. Pseudogryphus californianus (Shaw).— 
Is the largest rapacious bird of North America and * * %* * 
it is better known in California than elsewhere, where, previous to 
the civilization of that country, it was very abundant, approaching 
in large flocks the near vicinity of the Missions, where it con- 
tended with the coyote for the offal and carcasses of cattle slaugh- 
tered for their hides and tallow. In the early days of California 
history it was more frequently met with than now, being of a cau- 
tious and shy disposition the rapid settlement of the country has 
partially driven it off to more secluded localities. I remember the 
time when this vulture was much disliked by the hunter for its 
Tavages upon any large game he may have killed and left exposed . 
for only a short length of time. So powerful is its sight that 
it will discover a dead deer from an incredible distance while 
Soaring in'the air. A case of this kind happened with myself whilst 
living in the mountains of Marin County, California, in the year 
1847. At that time my main dependence for meat wherewith to 
feed my little family was my rifle. The hills and mountains there 
abounded in deer and other game and it was not difficut to kill a 
deer any day, but to kill a fat one could only be done by accident 
or the acuteness of a skillful hunter in making such a selection. A 
* 
four-point buck in the month of July could always be depended 7 
upon as savory venison with ribs and haunch covered with tallow. 
One fine morning I had shot a l 
four points, on the hills above my 
the sky in every direction I could not discover a single vulture, and, 
as my cabin was but a short distance from the spot, I concluded 
not to cover my game as I could 
arge and exceedingly fat buck of 
little cabin. Taking a survey of 
return with my horse to pack it 
