136 LAND BIRDS 



Holmes of Berryessa developed some remarkable habits, 

 but I believe these were due to artificial conditions. 



Solomon puzzled over " the way of an eagle in the 

 air " and left the mystery unsolved, and bird-lovers have 

 been studying it ever since. When I have been able to 

 watch the nesting habits of the Condor, as I have done 

 those of some more accessible birds, I may recall the 

 epithet "stupid," for in the training of their young some 

 otherwise dull birds show wonderful sagacity. Whether 

 sagacious or stupid, tlie Condor is one of the glories of 

 a glorious State, and deserves the protection of all loyal 

 citizens. 



325. TURKEY V ULTi: RE. — Cathartes aura seplcnirionalis. 

 Family : The Vultures. 



Length: 26.00-32.00. 



Adults: Head covered with bare, red, warty skin; bill white; upper 

 parts iridescent black ; under parts dull black, shafts of (quills and 

 tail-feathers dirty white. 



Young : Similar to adults, but bill blackish and naked skin of head and 

 neck livid dusky. 



Downy Young : Covered with a white cottony down, naked head cov- 

 ered with a sallow skin. 



Geographical Distribidion : Temperate North America. 



Breeding Range : North to latitude 40°. 



Breeding Season : April 1 to June 15. 



Nest: Frequently built in a tree, or a slight depression under a ledge or 

 a cliff. 



Eggs: 2 ; greenish huffy or white, more or less spotted with brown and 

 'light purple. Size 2.73 X 1.87. 



Food: Carrion. 



The Turkey Vulture, or Turkey Buzzard, is a com- 

 mon bird East and West, an industrious scavenger, and 

 a self-appointed " Board of Health." In the warmer 



