136 LAND BIRDS 



Holmes of Berryessa developed some remarkable habits, 

 but I believe these were due to artificial conditions. 



Solomon puzzled over " the way of an eagle in the 

 air " and left the mystery unsolved, and bird-lovers have 

 been studying it ever since. When I have been able to 

 watch the nesting habits of the Condor, as I have done 

 those of some more accessible birds, I may recall the 

 epithet *' stupid," for in the training of their young some 

 otherwise dull birds show wonderful sagacity. Whether 

 sagacious or stupid, the Condor is one of the glories of 

 a glorious State, and deserves the protection of all loyal 

 citizens. 



325. TURKEY VULTURE. — Cathartes aura septentrionalis. 

 Family : The Vultures. 



Length: 26.00-32.00. 



Adults : Head covered with bare, red, warty skin ; bill white ; upper 

 parts iridescent black ; under parts dull black, shafts of quills and 

 tail-feathers dirty white. 



Young : Similar to adults, hut bill blackish and naked skin of head and 

 neck livid dusky. 



Downy Young : Covered with a white cottony down, naked head cov- 

 ered with a sallow skin. 



Geographical Distribution : Temperate North America. 



Breeding Range : North to latitude 40°. 



Breeding Season : April 1 to June 15. 



Nest : Frequently built in a tree, or a slight depression under a ledge or 

 a cliff. 



Eggs: 2 ; greenish huffy or white, more or less spotted with brown and 

 light purple. Size 2.73 X 1.87. 



Food: Carrion. 



The Turkey Vulture, or Turkey Buzzard, is a com- 

 mon bird East and West, an industrious scavenger, and 

 a self-appointed " Board of Health." In the warmer 



