THE CALIFORNIA CONDOR. 547 



found nil the I>anks of the Coluiiiljia Ri\er, near Pateros, is placed t\vent_\-fi\'e 

 feet high in a stout pine tree. It is fiat on top, three feet across, but seven 

 feet in tlepth, the mass representing tlie successi\-e accumulation of many 

 years, perhaps of generations. Within a Httle depression in the center, sur- 

 rounded by soft materials, lie three handsome eggs, rich chocolate on a tinted 

 ground. The female is on, while her mate, tired of fishing, is standing by her 

 side. Both rise at oiu' approach and [xiise in midair abo\e our heads, uttering 

 feeble screams of protest, ki-ik. ki-ilc. ki-ilc. as the}- suspect our oological pur- 

 pose. A pair of Magpies have made their nest within the hospitable sides 

 of this ancient pile, and these self-appointed camp followers add their voices 

 to the general din. 



Another Osprey's nest, held aloft 1)\- a pine tree on the north shore of 

 Lake Chelan, houses a pair of Western Kingbirds as well. The reason for 

 this cooperative housekeeping is not far to seek after one \-isits the nest. The 

 presence of half-eaten fish, often l,\ing beside the satisfied bird, attracts innu- 

 merable tlies. Now Hies are the Kingl^rd's specialtw and we nun" readilv 

 believe that the Hawks appreciate the zealous services of their tenants. 



Eggs (I hesitate to tell you that they are among the handsomest known ) 

 are deposited in May, and incubation lasts between three and four weeks. Un- 

 like the Eagle, the Osprey, if rol)l)ed, will luake another attemj)! the same sea- 

 son, liut lays usually not more than two eggs the second time. In revisiting 

 the Columl)ia Ri\'er nest, mentioned abo\ e. on the ]oth day of jinie, I saw the 

 male bird ajjproach the nest quite ostentatiously and deposit a long stick. 

 Whether this was meant as a rtise to discourage in\-estigation on the part of the 

 Ijird-man, oi- whether he reall\- considered repairs necessar_\' at this time, I 

 cannot saw The two eggs which the nest contained Avere not disturbed. 



No. 221. 



CALIFORNIA CONDOR. 



\. ' '. I'. No. 324. Qymnogyps californianus iShaw). 



Synonym. — Calu-ornta W'LTuriv. 



Description. — .Idnlts: Dull black, the feathers browner on edges and tips, 

 the greater wing-coverts and the secondaries becoming gray on outer webs, the 

 former tip]:)ed and the latter edged with clear white ; axillars and under wing- 

 coverts white: the primaries and tail-feathers deeper black: the naked skin of 

 head and neck pale orange or orange-red in life: bill vellowish reddening on cere, 

 YoiLiuj birds lack the white markings and have more decideil brown edging to the 

 feathers : the neck is more or less covered with sooty down and the bill and 

 naked skin of head are dusky. Nestlings are covered with whitish down and the 

 naked skin of head and neck is dull yellow. Length of adult : 4 to 4J/ feet 

 (i219.2-1371.fi): extent Q-tt feet (2743-2704): weight 20 to 2^ pounds: wing 



