104 
THE CONDOR 
Vol. XI 
THE CONDOR 
v\n Illustrated Magazine 
of Western Ornithology 
Publisht . Bi-Monthly by the Cooper Ornithologi- 
cal Club of California. 
JOSEPH GR1NNELL, Editor, - Berkeley, Cal. 
J. EVGENE LAW, Business Manager, Hollywood, Cal 
W. LEE CHAMBERS, Assistant Business Manager. 
Santa Monica, Cal. 
WILLIAM L. FINLEY 
ROBERT B. ROCKWELL 
Associate Editors 
Hollywood, California: Publisht Way. 20, 1909 
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EDITORIAL NOTES AND NEWS 
The lay bird-student might be lead to believe 
from the trend of current comment that 
observations on the habits of birds, unaccom- 
panied by photographs, are now-a-days scarcely 
considered worthy of publication. This is cer- 
tainly far from true. We even suspect that 
articles of an inferior value from both a scien- 
tific and literary standpoint sometimes appear 
in print chiefly because striking photographs 
are furnisht with them. We would not for a 
moment discourage anyone from the pursuit of 
bird photography. But we wish to emphasize 
here that the day is not likely to come when 
carefully written descriptive essays based upon 
conscientious and accurate observation will 
cease to be of much more scientific value than 
the usual run of illustrations. The manipula- 
tion of the camera may even absorb the atten- 
tion of the operator, and result in liis overlook- 
ing traits of behavior of the subject, which 
would be detected by the intent and undis- 
tracted observer. Descriptive articles without 
illustrations (as well as with) are solicited for 
publication in The Condor. 
Correspondents in Bird- Lore relative to the 
cat-question seem to be agreed on the point 
that cats in general are inimical to bird-life, 
tho there are instances in which felines have 
proved quite harmless. We are no more sure 
of anything than that house-cats (that is 
“pets”), as well as those “gone wild”, cause an 
immense mortality among birds, especially in 
the nesting season. The nature of “tabby” 
away from home, seems wholly altered. She 
is shy, alert and blood-thirsty. We will con- 
fess to having shot many a cat on our home 
place in Pasadena, caught in the act of destroy- 
ing nestlings or immediately after killing a 
bird, which report subsequently affirmed to 
have been the cherisht pet of a neighboring 
household. We are ungracious enough to 
admit of our joy in having ended the careers of 
these cats. “Cherisht pets’ ’ of a murderous 
nature should be kept at home. The Audubon 
Societies could probably pursue a no more 
effective line of work than the propagation 
of sentiment against domestic cats, followed 
up by measures to secure their extermi- 
nation along with Cooper and .Sharp-shinned 
Hawks. 
A party of Cooper Club members left San 
Pedro on March 26 on Jack London’s boat, 
“The Snark,” to cruise among the islands 
south along the Mexican Coast. Virgil W. 
Owen, Chester Lamb and Pingree I. Osburn 
compose the party, and their purpose is to col- 
lect reptiles (alive and in alcohol), insects, 
birds, mammals, and whatever else of interest 
to the naturalist they may find. The return of 
the expedition is expected during the latter 
part of May. It is said that most of the 
material they get will go to an Eastern 
museum. 
The last of December, 1908, the young bird 
of the year belonging to the pair of Condors 
which have their home in the mountains near 
Pasadena, was shot by a former constable, Sam- 
uel L. Wallis. An attempt was made to sell 
the bird, resulting in this information getting 
out of its intended channel. Thru the efforts 
of Cooper Club members and the commendable 
activity of Game Warden Morgan of Los 
Angeles, evidence was secured, Wallis was 
brought to trial, and a conviction was obtained. 
But the Justice, in passing sentence, neglected 
to give an alternative of a jail term if the fine 
($50) were not paid; ami so, because of the 
technicality, Wallis smiled and paid not. Now, 
however, lie has been made deputy county 
assessor; and the Game Warden has discovered 
another technicality which balances the first: 
Wallis’s pay is garnisheed and out of his first 
month’s salary comes the $50! The notoriety 
of this case has become so wide, that it is 
believed that anyone else possest of the 
notion that protected birds may be illegally 
killed with impunity will hesitate long. The 
bird killed by Wallis was confiscated and 
forwarded to the State Museum. No permits 
are issued by the State Game Commission for 
the taking of Condors by anyone for any pur- 
pose whatsoever. The pair of adult birds, to 
which last year’s young one belonged, were, as 
far as can be ascertained, uninjured, and it is 
to be hoped that this year’s youngster will 
reach maturity safely. The aerie has been 
kept a secret by certain Cooper Club members 
for several years, and every effort made to 
secure its protection. It was here that Finley 
and Bohlman made their photographic studies. 
