394 RESOURCES OF CALIFORNIA. 



rounded like a cat's, but the claws of the older ones are gen- 

 erally worn off. The hind-legs, or propellers, are broad and 

 flat, like paddles, and are used very dexterously. The seal 

 much resembles the otter, seen at a distance, but he swims 

 upon his belly, and the hunter seldom mistakes one for the 

 other. The otter sleeps in the water, lying upon his back, 

 and anchors himself from the motions of winds and waves by 

 drawing a string of kelp across his breast, just below his 

 fore-legs. When discovered in this position, they are often 

 approached very near by the hunters. They are very buoy- 

 ant in the water, but when the chase has been long continued, 

 and the blood of the otter becomes heated by the exercise, on 

 being shot the body sinks rapidly to the bottom, and never 

 rises. More than half the otters shot are lost in this way. 



" Once a day the otter comes near the shore for food. He 

 eats every thing that grows in salt water, and is particularly 

 fond of abelones, (hcdiotus) mussels, and sea-eggs. At high 

 water the abelone loosens its shell from the rock, to receive 

 the nourishment which the overflowing waters bring to it, and 

 it is then easily taken from the rock and removed from its 

 shell. The otter is well acquainted with all the peculiarities 

 of this mollusk, and takes this opportunity to capture it for 

 food." 



The common seal, a species of phoca, is abundant along the 

 coast. 



313. Vultures. The Californian vulture, ( Cathartes call- 

 fornianus) sometimes improperly called " condor," the largest 

 bird on the continent, and next to the condor the largest fly- 

 ing bird in the world, inhabits all parts of the State, though 

 it is not abundant in any place. It is as prominent and pecu- 

 liar a feature of the birds of California, as the grizzly bear 

 among the quadrupeds. 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 



