Sept., 1907 THE CONDOR FIFTY YEARS AGO 161 



this Vulture as nearly spherical, jet-black, and about the size of those of a goose. i Following 

 this authority, all writers who have referred to the eggs of the California Vulture have described 

 them in a similar manner. That they should be spherical would be an exceptional case to the 

 whole genus, and is therefore hardly probable, though by no means impossible. Markings of a 

 jet-black color, even to the extent of blotches, spots, or lines, are of very rare occurrence, if not 

 positively unknown. Nor am I aware that any of this family of Vultures ever construct nests. 

 For these reasons, and until the statements of Mr. Douglas can be confirmed by other testimony, 

 I am inclined to discredit his accounts of its nest, eggs, and habits in every respect. In this 

 unbelief I am in part confirmed by the testimony of Mr. Townsend. He was informed, as he tells 

 us, by the Indians of the Columbia River, that the Californian Vulture, like all others of its genus, 

 breeds on the ground, fixing the place for a nest in swamps, under the pine forests, chiefly in the 

 alpine country, — in this conforming with the habits of the family. 



The egg in the Garden of Plants corresponds, in its generic characteristics, with the eggs of 

 the Cathartes aura, the C. atratus, and also with those of the jota and brasiliensis of South 

 America. It is also remarkably similar, except in size, to occasional marked varieties of the egg 

 of the Condor [Sarcoramphus gryphus) which, however, is usually white and unspotted. I feel 

 justified, therefore, in accepting the drawing as an authentic representative of those of this species. 



This egg measured 3^! inches in length by a^f in its greatest breadth. Its ground color is 

 that of all the known eggs of this genus, a rich cream-color, or a yellowish-white. A ring of 

 reddish-brown confluent blotches surround the larger end, leaving the residue nearly free from 

 markings. A few blotches of a smaller size and lighter color are distributed over the whole sur- 

 face. The faint purplish-drab markings noticeable in the eggs of the preceding species 

 (C atratus) are not observable in this specimen. 



The Californian Vultare is confined to the western slope of the Rocky Mountains. It is there 

 found from the extreme southern portions of the Pacific coast of North America to Washington 

 Territory and the British possessions, where it abounds in the summer season. It was met with 

 by Mr. Townsend on the banks of the Columbia, upwards of five hundred miles above the mouth 

 of that river, throughout the months of June, July, and August. 



ADDENDA 



Cathartes Californianus. — In Newman's "Zoologist" (Vol. XIII, p. 4633, 1855) occurs the 

 following in reference to the nesting and eggs of the California Vulture. It is contributed by 

 Mr. A. S. Taylor, of Monterey. I have given it with the view of putting on record all the state- 

 ments and descriptions made public in this connection, though I do not think the account here 

 given will be confirmed in all respects by more full and certain testimony. Mr. Taylor's infor- 

 mation is, as may be seen, derived from the reports of others, and is therefore not so reliable as it 

 would be if given from his own observations. 



"The egg of the bird is three inches broad and five long, about one-third longer than a 

 goose's egg. Its color is a dirty pale blue, spotted brown, and it is nearly as thick as an ostrich's 

 egg. The same person informs me, that the female lays only one egg during the season, and 

 makes her nest on the ground in the ravines of the mountains, and generally near the roots of the 

 redwood and pine trees. It is three months before the young birds can fly." 



jEscojidido , Califoi'nia . 



FROM FIELD AND STUDY 



Pointers for the Field Naturalist. — Bav/doo. — To those who, like myself, make up 

 skins with "sticks in 'em" I can recommend bamboo as the best possible wood for bird necks. 

 It is also useful for extending broken legs in large birds. One end of a small piece is easily 

 whittled down to fit tightly into the stump of the broken member; for mammal tails — ne plus 



I 'They build in the most secret and impenetrable parts of the pine forests, invariably selecting the loftiest trees 

 that overhang the precipices on the deepest and least accessible parts of the mountain valleys. The nest is large, 

 composed of strong thorny twigs and grass, in every way similar to the nests of the eagle tribe, but more slovenly 

 constructed. The same pair resort for several years to the same nest, bestowing little trouble or attention in 

 repairing it. 



They lay two nearly jet-black eggs, about the size of those of a goose. They hatch generally about the ist of 

 June, and the period of incutjation is twenty-nine or thirty days." — (David Douglas, Zoological Journal.) 



