128 KESOXJKCES OF CALIFORNIA. 



two hundred yards of them. Their color varies from light 

 yellowish-brown to dark brown. 



§ 96. Vultures. — The Californian vulture ( Cathartes calif or- 

 nicmus)^ sometimes improjDerly called " condor," the largest bird 

 on the continent, and next to the condor the largest flying bird in 

 the world, inhabits all parts of the state, though it is not abun- 

 dant in any place. It is as prominent and peculiar a feature of 

 the birds of California as the grizzly bear among the quadru- 

 peds. It is very shy, and is rarely killed. The total length of 

 the Californian vulture is about four feet, and its width from tip 

 to tip of the outstretched wings, ten feet or more. Its color 

 is brownish black, with a white stripe across the wings. The 

 head and neck are bare, and red and yellow in color. The bill 

 is yellowish white, and the iris carmine. Dr. Xewberry says : 

 " A portion of every day's experience in our march through 

 the Sacramento valley, was a pleasure m watching the graceful 

 evolutions of this splendid bird. Its flight is easy and eftbrt- 

 less, almost beyond that of any other bird. As I sometimes 

 recall the characteristic scenery of California, those intermina- 

 ble stretches of waving grain, with here and there, between 

 the rounded hills, orchard-like clumps of oak, a scene so solitary 

 and yet so home-uke, over these oat-covered plains and slopes, 

 golden yellow in the sunshine, always floats the shadow of the 

 vulture." 



Dr. Heermann, of the United States Pacific Railroad Sur- 

 vey, wrote thus : "Whilst unsuccessfully hunting in the Tejon 

 valley, we have often passed several hours without a single 

 one of this species being in sight, but on bringing down 

 any large game, ere the body had grown cold these birds 

 midst be seen rising above the horizon and slowly sweeping 

 toward us, intent upon their share of the prey. Xor in the 

 absence of the hunter will his game be exempt from their rav- 

 enous appetite, though it be carefully hidden and covered by 

 shrubbery and heavy branches ; as I have known these marau- 

 ders to drag forth from its concealment and devour a deer 

 within an hour. Any article of clothing thrown over a carcass 



