260 
VULTUR californianus. 
parts of the pine forests, invariably selecting the lofti® s , 
trees that overhang the precipices on the deepest a® 
least accessible parts of the mountain valleys. Tb® 
nest is large, composed of strong thorny twigs a ” 
grass, in every way similar to the nests of the eag* 
tribe, but more slovenly constructed. The same pa'J 
resort for several years to the same nest, besto" 1 '^ 
little trouble or attention in repairing it. They 
two nearly spherical jet black eggs, about the size 11 
those of a goose. They hatch generally about t® 
first of June, and the period of incubation is twentf 
nine or thirty-one days. The young are covered u 1 ; 
thick whitish down, and are incapable of leaving *® 
nest until the fifth or sixth week. Their food is cat" 
rion, or dead fish : in no instance will they attack aW 
living animal, unless it he wounded and unable * 
walk. Their senses of smelling and seeing are ren>a r ' 
ably keen. In searching for prey, they soar to a g rel V 
altitude, and on discovering a wounded deer, or oth e 
animal, they follow its track until it sinks, when th®f 
descend precipitately on their object. Although 0>W 
one bird may he at first in possession of the care*® 
few minutes elapse before the prey is surrounded 
great numbers, and it is then devoured to a skeleb’ 
within an hour, even though it he one of the la*#® 
animals, — a stag, for instance, or a horse. Their vorac* 1 
is almost insatiable ; and they are extremely w>!. r ® 
nerous, suffering no other animal to approach th® ^ 
while feeding. After eating, they become so sluggyjj 
and indolent as to remain in the same place nm 
urged by hunger to go in quest of another repast. 
such times they perch on decayed trees, with tb®* 
heads so much retracted, as to be with ditlicu ^ 
observed through the long, loose, lanceolate feathers 
™ • 8 -’ ’ - -- do" 11 
the collar. The wings, at the same time, hang 
over the feet. This position they invariably P res *. r ff 
in dewy mornings, or after rains. Except after eat i®r’ 
or while guarding their nest, they are so excessive/ 
wary, that the hunter can scarcely ever approach 
ciently near even for buck-shot to take effect on th®^ 
