THE CALIFORNIA CONDOR. 547 
found on the banks of the Columbia River, near Pateros, is placed twenty-five 
feet high in a stout pine tree. It is flat on top, three feet across, but seven 
feet in depth, the mass representing the successive accumulation of many 
years, perhaps of generations. Within a little 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 our approach and poise in midair above our heads, uttering 
feeble screams of protest, ki-ik, ki-ik, ki-ik, as they suspect our ological 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 by a pine tree on the north shore of 
Lake Chelan, houses a pair of Western Kingbirds as well. The reason for 
this codperative housekeeping is not far to seek after one visits the nest. The 
presence of half-eaten fish, often lying beside the satisfied bird, attracts innu- 
merable flies. Now flies are the Kingbird’s specialty, and we may readily 
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 robbed, will make another attempt the same sea- 
son, but lays usually not more than two eggs the second time. In revisiting 
the Columbia River nest, mentioned above, on the roth day of June, I saw the 
male bird approach the nest quite ostentatiously and deposit a long stick. 
Whether this was meant as a ruse to discourage investigation on the part of the 
bird-man, or whether he really considered repairs necessary at this time, [ 
cannot say. The two eggs which the nest contained were not disturbed. 
No. 221. 
CALIFORNIA CONDOR. 
A. O. U. No. 324. Gymnogyps californianus (Shaw). 
Synonym.—CatIFORNIA VULTURE. 
Description.—A dults: Dull black, the feathers browner on edges and tips, 
the greater wing-coverts and the secondaries becoming gray on outer webs, the 
former tipped 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 yellowish reddening on cere. 
Young birds lack the white markings and have more decided 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 4% feet 
(1219.2-1371.6) ; extent 9-11 feet (2743-2794) ; weight 20 to 25 pounds; wing 
