California Condor Eben McMillan 25 November 1963 A brisk east wind was blowing and fog filled the San Joaquin Valley to the 1800 foot level as Ian and I left for the Sospe area at 9.30 A.M. via the Carrisa Plains. Four Sandhill Cranes were seen in Don Lewis stubble field that is about two miles Northwest of Carrisa Plains School. They were standing close together and seemed nervous as they watched us pass. Two small flocks of cranes were seen flying over the brush flats of California Valley Development. We stopped and chatted with Bob Werling and Murphy Chaney who were feeding cattle on west side of Soda Lake but in front of the Dewey Werling Ranch. Asking them about Sandhill Cranes they told us that not many cranes had come to remain in the area of the Carrisa Plains due to the shooting that goes on about the Soda Lake areas. No sooner had they told us this than several shots were heard coming from across the Soda Lake in a southeasterly direction. Both Bob Werling and Murphy Chaney as well as Dewey Werling who came along as we were talking, expressed much concern regarding this shooting that they think, if it continues, will lead to someone getting shot. These people feel quite sure that Sandhill Cranes are shot at continually when on the ground or in the air. Dewey Werling told us that these people who come to shoot are mostly from Los Angeles, or that general area, and come to the Carrisa Plains to shoot because they are not allowed to shoot in most places in Los Angeles County. We saw a large flock of about 1000 cranes on the flat out in front of Painted Rocks, that is about two miles Southwest of the Southeast end of Soda Lake. Some of these cranes were