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, the Condor is one of the glories of 
a glorious State, and deserves the protection of all loyal 
citizens. 
325. TURKEY VULTURE. — Cathartes aura. 
, Famity: 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 Distribution : 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 buffy 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- 
y) y) 
mon bird East and West, an industrious scavenger, and 
a self-appointed “ Board of Health.” In the warmer 
