128 RESOURCES OF CALIFORNIA. 
two hundred yards of them. Their color varies from light 
yellowish-brown to dark brown. 
§ 96. Vultures—The Californian vulture ( Cathartes califor- 
niunus), sometimes improperly 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. Newberry says: 
“ A portion of every day’s experience in our march through 
the Sacramento valley, was a pleasure in watching the graceful 
evolutions of this splendid bird. Its flight is easy and effort- 
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-like, 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 
might be seen rising above the horizon and slowly sweeping 
toward us, intent upon their share of the prey. Nor 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 
