PSEUDOGRYPHUS CALIFORNIANUS. {Shaw?, 
CALIFORNIA CONDOR. 
Vitltur californiamts. — Shaw, Nat. Misc., Vol. IX. pi. 301 (1797); Lath., Ind. Orn., Suppl. 2; Dough, Zool. Journ., 
Vol. IV. p. 328; Wik, Vol. IV. p. 259. 
Cathartes californianus. — Cuv., Reg. Animal., Vol. I. p. 316; Bonap., Syn., p. 22 (1828); DcKay, Zool. N. Y., Vol. II. 
p. 3 (1844); Nutt., Man., Vol. I. p. 39 (1833); Aud., Bds. N. A., pi. 426; Orn. Biog-., Vol. V. p. 240; Cassin, 
Bds. N. Am., p. 5 (1858); Hcerm., P. R. R. Rept., Vol. II. p. 29 (1855); Gray, Hand List, Vol. I. p. 3 (1869); 
Taylor, Hutchins' Cala. Mag., Vol. III. p. 537 (1859); Gurney, Cat. Rapt. Bds., p. 39 (1864); Sclater, P. Z. S., 
p. 366 (1866), p. 183 (1868); Coues, Key, p. 222 (1872); Bds. N. W., p. 384 (1874). 
Sat'corhampkus californianus . — Step., Zool., XIII. p. 6 (1815); Rich and Swam s F. B. A., Vol. II. p. 1 (1831); Licht., 
Orn. Calif., p. 8. 
Cathartes vulturinus. — Yemtn., PI. 31 (1820); Less,, Man. Orn., Vol, Y II. p. 10 (1828). 
P seudogryphus californiamts. — Bd., Bwr., and Ridg., N. Am. Bds., Vol. Ill, p. 338 (1874). 
Hab. — Pacific Coast of the United States from Columbia Rwer to Lower California. Utah (Hcnshaw). 
Arizona (Coues). 
r PHE California Vulture is of immense size, very nearly equalling in its dimensions the far-famed Condor of South 
America (Sa r cor ha. mphus gjyphus). 
This interesting species was at one time very abundant in some parts of Caliiornia, but of late years it has become a 
very rare bird, — in all probability its days are numbered. It is claimed that its destruction has been mainly caused by 
feeding upon the poisoned meat which had been left by the settlers to kill bears and other wild animals which at that time 
infested the country. Owing to its present scarcity, the California Vulture will soon be much sought after, large prices will 
be offered for specimens, and they will be killed at every opportunity. Gradually they will become fewer and fewer, until 
the day shall come when the report of some collector’s gun will sound the death-knell of the last living representative of 
its race. 
According to Dr. Heermann, this Vulture was often observed sailing majestically in wide circles at a great height. 
Often when hunting in the Tejon Valley they would sec no specimens for hours; but as soon as game was killed, these birds 
would be seen rising above the horizon before the body had grown cold. He also states that he has known them to devour 
a deer within an hour, and that four of them dragged the body of a young grizzly bear, that weighed over a hundred 
pounds, the distance of two hundred yards. 
According to Dr. Cooper, this species visits the Columbia River in autumn, and feeds upon the dead salmon which 
are found along its shores. The flight is described as slow, steady, and very graceful, and they sail along with no 
perceptible motion of the wings. 
Mr. Alexander S. Taylor, of Monterey, published a series of papers on the Vulture (vide .Bd., Bwr., and Ridg., 
Bds. N. A., p. 342, Vol. Ilk). He states that a Mexican ranchero , hunting among the highest peaks of the Santa Lucia 
Range, disturbed two pairs of these birds from their breeding places. There was no nest, the eggs having been deposited 
in the hollow of a tall old robles oak, in a steep barranca , near the summit of one of the highest peaks. He brought back 
