California Condor Eban McMillan 1 July 1963 was well above the high points that just out above the east side of the San Juan Valley at this point. A brisk west wind was blowing. This Condor remained above this area for some time loafing on the wind, drifting up and down the valley, apparently effortless, and remaining quite high. At 4:10 p.m., after taking my binoculars down to clean them, I was unable to relocate the Condor. When this Condor was loafing on the air currents above he could make out ripples that would pass from the tip of one wing and continue across to the tip of the other wing, much as does the ripple pass along a sheet that is being blown by the wind when on a clothesline- as this ripple commences on the leading wingtip, for this usually occurs when the bird is quartering, or at a right angle to the wind, the leading wingtip will flex and dip down allowing the rippling feature to continue on across both wings. The following drawing gives some idea of this feature of Condor flight. Also as a condor loads on good wind currents, if heading into the wind the outer primaries will be well grouped together and the wing appear pointed- When the Condor is moving slowly with the wind the outer primaries will be fully flexed and the wing pulled in somewhat giving the appearance of a very bagged-tattered bird hanging in the air as if suspended from a string, or like. The following drawing will give some indication of this type of flight. [illegible] - facing into wind -