California condor survey field notes, v1476
Page 221
Image from the Biodiversity Heritage Library. Contributed by Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, University of California, Berkeley. | www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Transcription
around the green leads to a grassy knoll about 100 feet from where it had fed. It stood here for some time until a Calf walked towards it when this Condor hopped into the air and flew about 200 feet to a low knoll to the east. Here it stood and appeared to be rubbing its head and neck in the grass, then stood still for two or three minutes. At 2:30 P.M. this Condor ducked its heads, opened its wings, hopped two or three times as it pumped its wings and was airborne. After leaving the ground it pumped 4 or 5 more times, than commenced to sail when not over 60 or 70 feet above the ground, and with no more pumping, was soon high above the area. Turning Northeast this Condor went into a moderated flex slide and headed Northeast-flying slowly and very smoothly. At 2:45, this Condor discontinued this glide and circled to gain more altitude. During this circling I lost sight of the bird and could not relocate it. Just prior to stopping its long glide to circle it had turned its course somewhat to the North-West. On examining the Calf Carcass, on which the Condor fed, I found no break in the skin anywhere. No sign of bloating was evident-the flank was slack and the area about the anus was loose and flabby and the opening of the anus itself appeared enlarged, and opened, with seven inches of a small intestine hanging out of the anus. Tracks gave every indication that most, if not all, the feeding, that had been done on this carcass, had been accomplished through the anus. The only flaw in this Condor's Plumage was the Secondary Feather missing from the left wing about the 4th or 5th from the outside- Left wing Going away- Left wing Coming Towards