California Condor field notes, v1401
Page 9
Image from the Biodiversity Heritage Library. Contributed by Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, University of California, Berkeley. | www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Transcription
3120 Gymnogyps californianus June 1, 1946 E. of McFarland, Calif. ently mubbled at endyles & anterior tips. I saved them for specimens. 30' further on were a rib, rib fragment, + 2 small bones - possibly the hyoid - also the bone holding upper molars of one side; disarticulated from the skull & cleaned of meat. The bones had a dried-bloody look. Here also was a hoof sheath and a 3" long curved bone, 15" tufts of hair, most with a piece of skin attached, + a few more down feathers. 20' further on was the main body - a twisted soft hide with pelvis, all legs, + skull attached. The skull was bare to nearly the eyes & one set side of molars remain- ed. Leg bones were attached - including scapulae- and pulled inside out down to the heels & wrists. The tail hide was pulled inside out, bone gone, & distal inch or so missing. Apparently all viscera & internal organs were gone. Many red ants crawl- ed on the carcass. About 10' to N. of the hide & legs was the spine & rib cage. None of the ribs appear- ed to be broken though sternum was about 1/3 detached, & mubbled some. Only a few shreds of meat remained, + several hundred red ants crawled on the bones. The entire neck was intact including first vertebra. One hoof sheath, possibly mubbled at the tip, lay near the spine section. The lumbar vertebrae & 3 or 4 of the caudal were in another