Image from the Biodiversity Heritage Library.
Contributed by Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, University of California, Berkeley.
| www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Transcription
Gymnogyps californianus
July 16, 1946 Tule R. Indian Resy, Calif.
creation, 4 at least 2 in border Creek area. I had started
down the mountain when at 6:30 p.m., an adult flew
100' below me, skirting the slope - perhaps it had flushed
from a perch on granite outcroppings there. Its crop bulged.
This bird circled until above the knoll, then crossed
Gibbs Canyon to SW where I lost it close to some large
dead oaks. Occasionally the bird flapped. About 6:40 -
I had climbed back atop the hill - an adult with bulging
my crop swept past skirting the slope below me (probably same bird). Business - like it circled & rose above
me, then to 400', then glided SE over another ridge, circled
& rose 600', then headed for the saddle into border Creek,
but didn't make it. Flap-glided then, working 1/2 mile to
W. & back & forth as if trying to gain altitude in vain,
& I lost it over the brush there at 7 p.m. (sunset).
Breeze light. I departed. Called at house of the local
Indian Service man - Mr. Flumby (sp). He was ill
& in bed. His wife said there was an old Indian woman
about 100 yrs. old on the reservation who was quite alert
& active, & she might know something of condors - her
name was Rodelij.
July 17, 1946 Mr. Gibbon Pk., Tulare Co.
I drove up the Deer Creek road & climbed to
top of a hill about 1 mile W. of mouth of border Creek,
arriving 7:20 a.m. Air calm & warm, & hazy. I could
look across at Gibbs Pk. area & see some of the an-