26 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OP SCIENCES. 



might be seen rising above the horizon, slowly sweeping 

 towards us, intent upon their share of the prey. Nor, 

 in the absence of the hunter, will his game be exempt 

 from their ravenous appetite, though it might be care- 

 fully hidden and covered by shrubbery and heavy 

 branches. I have known these marauders to drag forth 

 from its concealment and devour a deer within an hour. 

 Gambel (Phila. Acad.) Particularly abundant in 

 winter, when they probably come from Oregon. 



22. Cathartes aura (Linn.) TURKEY VULTURE. 



San Diego. L. B. Common resident; common in 

 northern and southern Lower California, and probably 

 in all parts of it. This bird, the caracara eagle and 

 other very useful carrion-eating birds are wisely protected 

 by law in Mexico, as should be the case with this in our 

 country, being harmless in all respects and very useful 

 as scavengers. 



Poway. F. E. Blaisdell. Common resident. 



Volcan Mountains. W. 0. Emerson. February 9, 

 five observed. 



Contra Costa County. W. E. Bryant. Common res- 

 ident; breeds. 



Central California. L. B. Very common constant 

 resident below the pine forest; often seen in the high 

 Sierra in summer; no doubt a common species through- 

 out the State. One that I shot on a ranch at Gridley 

 appeared to be catching grasshoppers, but as it had re- 

 cently feasted on dead colt it was too offensive for thor- 

 ough inspection. There were many on this ranch, and 

 if they did not partake of the grasshoppers, or, rather, 

 of the true middle province locust, they were about the 

 only exception besides the turtle dove, as all the other 

 birds from the large red-tailed hawk and crow down to 

 the little plain titmouse fairly feasted on the destructive 



