134 LAND BIRDS 
wool, I believe such cases are uncommon; the bird 
usually builds her own home, and returns to it two years 
in succession, if not molested. 
Il.—_BIRDS OF PREY 
$24. CALIFORNIA. VULTURE, OR CONDOR. 
Gymnogyps californianus. 
FamiLy: The Vultures. 
Length: 44.00-55.00 ; extent 84 feet to nearly 11 feet. 
Adults: Head and neck covered with a warty orange skin ; bill pale 
yellow; plumage black ; wing-coverts tipped with white ; under 
wing-coverts pure white. 
Young: Like adults, but naked skin and bill black ; more or less cov- 
ered with sooty gray down. 
Downy Young: Covered with white cottony down ; bill yellow. 
Geographical Distribution: Coast ranges of Southern California from 
Monterey County to Mexico. 
Breeding Range: Breeds in the mountainous districts throughout its 
habitat. 
Breeding Season : Eggs have been taken in April and May. 
Nest: The bare floor of a cave or recess among the rocks, or in a hollow 
stump. 
Eggs: 1 or 2; plain grayish green or dull greenish white. Size 
4.46 X 2.48. 
Tue California Condor is, so far as known, the largest 
bird that flies, except its cousin the Condor of the Andes, 
and was formerly abundant throughout the coast ranges 
of Southern California. It has become comparatively 
rare through various causes, chief among them the feed- 
ing upon poisoned flesh put out by stockmen to kill wild 
animals. For a long time the species was on the verge 
of extermination, but through the efforts of the Cooper 
