AMU HI CAN BIRDS. 



191 



[323.] BLUE-HEADED QUAIL-DOVE. Staminas cyanocephala (Linn.) 

 Geog. Dist. Cuba and Florida Keys. 



It appears that the Blue-headed Quail-dove has been found only by Audubon on 

 the Florida Keys; it is resident in the Island of Cuba, where it nests in April and 



323. BLUE-HEADED QUAIL-DOVE (From Brelmi), 



May. It is a singular Dove, with the crown ri^h blue, bounded by black; a white 

 stripe under the eye, extending under the chin; the throat is black, bordered with 

 white. Length of bird about eleven inches. The nest is placed on trees and bushes, 

 and composed of sticks carelessly arranged. The eggs are two in number, pure 

 white. The average size is 1.38x1.01. 



324. CALIFORNIA VULTURE. Pwudwjryphus calif ornian us (Shaw.) Geog. 

 Dist. Coast ranges of Southern California from Monterey Bay southward into 

 Lower California; formerly north to Frazer River. 



Concerning the California Condor or Vulture, Dr. Brewer remarks as follows: 

 "The single species composing this very distinct genus belongs to Western North 

 America, and so far as known, has the most restricted distribution of any large rap- 

 torial bird in the world. It is remarkable for its very large size, all its dimensions 

 nearly, if not quite, equaling those of the famed Condor of the Andes (Sarrvrhamphus 

 yryphus)." This great bird has already become very much reduced in numbers and 

 extinct in localities where it was formerly abundant; this is doubtless due to the 

 indiscriminate use of poison which is placed on carcasses for the purpose of killing 

 wolves, bears, lynx, cougars and other noxious animals which played havoc with 



