2038 THE DIURNAL BIRDS OF PREY 



of the plumage is brownish black; the tips of the greater wing coverts are, however, 

 whitish, forming a line across the closed wing, and there is a broad band of white 

 along the under side of the wing, which renders the bird easily recognizable when 

 flying overhead. This vulture always had a very restricted distribution, being 

 confined to the Pacific coast region of the United States from Oregon to Northern 

 Lower California; and it now appears to be found only in California, where its home 

 is in the almost inaccessible secondary ranges running parallel to the Sierra 

 Nevada. Never very numerous, the Calif ornian vulture has been decimated by 

 the poisoned meat laid out by the stockmen for the destruction of carnivorous 

 mammals, and in 1891 Mr. Lucas considered that the bird was likely to be 

 exterminated before many years. More recently, however, Captain Bendire states 

 that in some of the most barren and inaccessible mountains these vultures have 

 again commenced to hold their own, so that there is a possibility of their increase. 

 Although from 'the weakness of their claws and beaks the powers of offense of 

 these vultures are comparatively small in proportion to their size, yet their strength 

 is very great, as is attested by the fact that four are known to have dragged the 

 carcass of a young bear weighing one hundred pounds for a distance of two hun- 

 dred yards. The flight of this bird, according to Captain Bendire, "is graceful 

 beyond comparison, as it sails majestically overhead in gradually contracting or ex- 

 panding circles, now gently falling with the wind, and again rising easily against 

 it, without a perceptible motion of its pinions. While on the wing, it looks more 

 than the peer of any of our birds, the golden eagle not excepted." Little is known 

 of its breeding habits, but it appears that the huge nest may be placed either on 

 rocks or in trees; one that is described being situated on the limb of a large redwood 

 tree, at a height of seventy-five feet from the ground, and close to the stem. 

 The eggs are of a uniform greenish-white color. 



