California Condor Eben McMillan 11 August 1963 I drove to the Carissa Plains at 11:00 A.M. On the Piole Ranch a flock of sheep — a flock belonging to Leonard Bedart was in the care of a herder whom I had not met before. In that he knew no English I had the usual problem of acquainting him with the reason of my visit and briefing him on the matter of Condor recognition whereby he can be of help in establishing if they come to feed on any sheep that may die in the area under his observation. This he consented to do and will be on the continual lookout for Condor. I drove to the east side of the Carissa Plains where I met and talked with a young Basque who has been in this country long enough to have picked up considerable English. He told me that both Vultures and Eagles have full protection as do most small birds; Predatory hawks are not protected in Spain. He thought protected birds enjoy more stringent regulations and protection, in Spain, than is the case in America. This Basque upon seeing a well marked Swainson’s hawk, stated that this type of hawk does not enjoy protection in Spain. The above mentioned Swainson’s hawk was circling about one hundred yards above and a bit to the rear of the Shepherd’s familiar cabin. The hawk was working in the vortex of a dust devil that was carrying upward bits of grain stubble, weeds, and dust; and no doubt some insects which probably had attracted the hawk. This particular Swainson’s hawk could easily have been mistaken for a Condor by an observer not acquainted with this species for this bird was well marked under the wings, with dark and white, and the body was quite dark. The tail nevertheless was of a light color and would give the birds identification away to anyone making a close inspection. Several of these hawks that were of this plumage could easily be taken for Condor by an unexperienced observer, especially