Gymnogyps californianus July 19, 1946 Oak Flat Nr. Kern River, Kern Co. country. Dean seemed truthful but not especially interested in wildlife. I am inclined to believe his report but doubt the 30 count. I drove to the Henry Costo ranch on Cottonwood Creek. A caretaker was there who said that that Rednich (sp.?) had bought the place & others in the area about 2½ years ago. There were some cattle about 5 miles further up the canyon, he said, & about July 1 he had heard there were 15 head dead of 300 in one group there. The deaths were supposedly due to food shortage - this may have attracted the condors here early this month. The caretaker stayed at his house & did not travel about. He said he had been there 2 years. I told him about condors & he said that about 2 hours ago a huge bird with white under its wings had flown down to the creek from the slope opposite his house. He had sneaked up on it as it flopped heavily down the canyon, then soared when above the trees. He noticed no head color. He marked off the estimated wingspread - about 9 ft.! Up to that time he had seen nothing like it, he said. We searched the creek area but found no footprints or feathers or carcasses. There was clear open running water however. The man had seen buzzards often & was sure it was not one. He was sure it was a condor when I showed him a picture. Vic Barn (sp.?) now a book