Jan., 1910 
LIFE HISTORY OF THE CALIFORNIA CONDOR 
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tion by climbing up and poking his nose thru at the gate. The minute I opened it he 
stalkt out, but always stopt cautiously a moment or two outside the gate to look 
about. He did nothing without deliberation. With several hops he went half way 
across the yard, flapping his big wings. Then he went thru a regular dance, as if 
celebrating his freedom. He stretcht his wings and jumpt straight up in the air 
several times in succession, like an Indian on the war path; but he never said a word. 
Contrary to expectation, General was cleanly in habits. He had been fed on 
clean fresh meat since he was taken from the nest, and soon he would take nothing 
else. Several times we tried him on stale meat, but he never took it unless com- 
pelled by hunger. His preference w T as undoubtedly for clean fresh beef. If apiece 
Fig. 3. GENERAL WAS OFTEN FED BY HAND; HE WAS ALWAYS GENTLE WHEN TREATED KINDLY 
dropt on the ground or was the least bit dirty, he refused it. Several times we 
tried him on wild game, such as squirrel and rabbit; but he would not touch it if he 
could get fresh beef. One time I gave him nothing but wild game for two days 
and when I got some beef he made a glutton of himself. The instant I went near 
with the beef, he smelled it and began reaching for my hand. He gulpt down two 
or three pieces and then I slipt in a bite of squirrel, but he threw it out. I tried 
mixing the two, but he pickt out all the beef. He was very fond of a good bone, 
which I often nailed to the perch. He gnawed it with as much eagerness as a dog, 
till not a bit of meat was left. 
Fresh, running water was a luxury to the young condor. He pattered along 
