CALIFORNIA CONDOR 75 



The general colour is ashy grey, with considerable 

 white in the wings; there is a ruff of soft white 

 feathers, or down, about the neck, except in front, and 

 the head of the male is adorned with a great fleshy 

 wattle at the base of the beak. Condors feed upon 

 carrion mostly, but show a marked liking for fresh 

 meat when obtainable. Apparently, however, they 

 never kill for themselves. Like other Vultures, they 

 gorge themselves when food is plentiful, and at such 

 times are often taken by the natives of the country 

 by means of lassos. 



The California Condor equals, if, indeed, it does not 

 exceed in size the South American species. In gen- 

 eral form they are not unlike, but the more northern 

 bird lacks the white collar about the neck, having in- 

 stead a ruif of dark, pointed feathers. It also is with- 

 out the curious wattle that grows from the top of the 

 head in the other species. The plumage is generally 

 ashy grey in colour, with a kind of bloom over it. 

 The feet are very large. These birds nest in high 

 cliffs along the coast of California. The young birds 

 are clothed in pure white down, which gradually 

 deepens to grey as they grow older. 



Owing to their destruction by hunters, and to 

 poison set out by sheep-herders as protection against 

 wolves, these birds are becoming rare in the regions 

 where they were formerly common. The Condor is 

 absurdly tame, allowing itself to be approached by 

 man even when at large. Fortunately, it thrives in 

 confinement, largely owing to its lack of fear, and it 

 is a remarkable fact that such great birds, accustomed 

 to flying over vast mountain regions, should do so 



