Field notes, v1400

Koford, Carl B.

1946

Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, University of California, Berkeley

Original Source

Source Material:
Image from the Biodiversity Heritage Library. Contributed by Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, University of California, Berkeley. | www.biodiversitylibrary.org

Document Pages

584 Pages

No text detected

No text detected

Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2017 with funding from CLIR https://archive.org/details/fieldnotesv140000kofo

No text detected

C.B. Koford California Condor Study 1946 (Part 1) January 10 - May 31 Species Accounts Gymnogyps californianus

No text detected

Ford 2834 Gymnogyps californianus June 8, 1941 Mt. Pinos, Ventura G. Saw no condors all day while on Mt. Pinos from about 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Both at Keyman Camp, Chula Vista, and top of the mountain. Did Peyton tell me that he had seen condors in the hills east of the Pinos. Boris (?) King, brother of Dale King, owns darrest stock land there. That area is accessible via Val Verde Canyon by road. June 9, 1941. Mr. Bailey Ranch, Los Angeles G. I drove from Fillmore to Delano. Turned off at Bailey road looking for Jerry Condron. Drove 3+ miles west of the ridge into a valley with a few cattle. Much rough rock slopes visible toward Pinn Creek, & Jerry probably has some headquarters in that area. A woman at first townhouse after turnoff from ridge-route said she had heard of condors and rarely seen one fly over. An old man who formerly worked and mined (?) in these mountains lived ed about 1/2 mile S+ of the Bailey Ranch gate - perhaps he has some information. The Bailey Ranch area is worthy of investigation via questioning. Some old timers live on Pinn Creek and are reachable from this side. January 10, 1946 Berkeley, Calif. Ward Russell, of MVZ, picked up a condor mounted with outspread wings at the Osher home in Hayward in mid- November, 1945. He skelped the bird, removed the humeri (one broken), & put the bird in study skin form

"Ben leading about 2 mi. S. Annecle. August 1942 about Can Mc Hudson < Sharon with Spencer - in school - one place overhead. Apr. + 1942 - 5or 6 tk @l- the Hudson - Big Pointm. nov Campy plans

Gymnogyps californianus January 10, 1946 Berkeley, Cal. to be sent to Varhies at Arizona. The specimen bird was in good condition though very old- many feathers missing on belly; head artificially colored. I copied the following data from a card accompanying the bird: "324 California Vulture Gymnogyps californianus C. S. Barbour, unsexed H R Taylor 1890 shot with #90" [probably refers to another specimen] "M. Bargetto Cal D.A. Cohen collection Alameda, Cal." At San Francisco, F & G Comm- ission, Ferry Bldg, I talked with Ben Glading & Henry (?) Hjersman (sp?) about cardors. Ben said he saw one about 2 miles S of Annette, Kern Co. Calif. in summer of 1942. This bird flew low over their pickup truck. [Near Cholame]. Ben said Dan McMillan at Cholame and Owen McMillan at Shandon were well up on the birds & history of that section - it would be well to contact them for in- formation. HJersman said he saw 5 or 6 near top of Pine Mtn (?) near Pozo about April of 1942. He will send for his notes & give me exact info later. At the time he was with Owen McMillan.

No text detected

2836 Gymnogyps californianus 10 January 1946 Berkeley, Cal. on a birding trip. On 20 December Dan McLean talked & showed movies at C.O.C. meeting. These in- cluded condor pictures taken in Napper Basin. Extensive shots of one adult perching perched on a Ps. near Parking Knoll. Apparently taken in a.m. before takeoff; in warm weather I judged as ruff was down. Pictured also was Frank Arundell holding Oscar at #1 nest cave. Oscar's wings were entirely downy dark gray) and floppy -- for Frank held Oscar by elbows & reduced wings up & down. Oscar reached up to snap at Frank's face or hat at one time. McLean also said a man named Roland (?) Curtis had seen a condor between Sacramento & Roseville recently. McLean showed pictures two of the "condor cafeteria" on Oil Ridge S. of Fillmore. Coyote carcasses were laid out near a blind. The photos showed only a single golden eagle feeding. McLean said one shadow which passed over was that of a condor, & also that as many as 18 condors came there. It is not improbable that this number did looked over the bait, but I doubt that they fed at such an artificial setup-

No text detected

2837 Gymnops californicus 10 January 1946 Berkeley, Calif. Apparently the camera did not catch a single one feeding. 18 January 1946 San Francisco, Cal. F. With Dr A N Miller went to Treasure Island to see condo pictures taken by Telford Work last year. Besides Work, Harold M Mill (St. Lukes Hospital), Albert J Wool (San Jose, 5435 McKee Rd.) and J. Kent Carrie (Mountain View Calif., 1279 Latham St.) were present. All but Carrie had been or at least came of the 10 trips they took to photograph condors in 1945. (LTO?) Work is interning at S.F. & Oakland Naval Hospitals; Mill was formerly in the navy & expects to be called back in April. Carrie was about 18 & was interested in falconry. Last year the group took 10 trips - from April to October - to Hopper Basin to photograph condors. Someone had given them a clue to a possible nest near Big Cave - it was hinted that the info came from a collector who had lived in there in 1940. The group had been let through the road gate at Arundells by the Arundells-there were "about 16" locks on the Arundell

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus 18 January 1946 San Francisco, Calif. gate, they said. There is now a road along Napper Rim, across to the east above Oscar's nest, then toward Big Cave. A tractor trail runs from this road to the creek below Big Cave. These men thought the tractor trail should be allowed to grow over as it made the nest too accessible. On one occasion a dead dog, found on highway, was laid out in the open rock near Oscar's & the photographers hid in a nearby cave - but no results. On another occasion they got a goat from Pete Legan & let-laid it out near same spot - no photographs, but upon returning to the area later they flushed a bunch of condors from the spot. Dr Bleitz of Hollywood may have gotten some pictures there which included condors. Bleitz takes only 4x5 stills - Kodachrome with 16" telephoto lens. Worle uses a Rollicord for stills & a 16 mm. movie camera with up to 6" telephoto lens for movie work (Koda-chrome). Worle has about 100 black & white prints of the youngster & one adult at the nest & about 1 1/2 hrs. of 16 mm. movies - much of excellent quality. The others present including Dr. Kell apparently had taken no pictures of condors. The brother

No text detected

Ford 2839 Gymnogyps californianus 18 January 1946 San Francisco Calt. of Work (?) & the father of one of the group had also been to the meat. Wals's nest was near the corner of Condor Cliff between a large stone slab & themain cliff. The nest faced about NW & could be walked into from below. This nest was almost directly below that of the Dark Noubs on Condor Cliff - 100'(?). The cave was about 20 ft. long & the egg found at the inner extremity on the sandy floor. Dr. Will found the nest when he walked about 10' (?) from the mouth & flushed an adult. The egg was a large one - over 5 3/8" they measured with a steel tape. The egg was photod in the nest & held in the hand in the sun outside of the nest for more photos - this later after Dr. Will had left as he did not approve of this. The egg was found early in April & the chick first found about 5 days old they estimated - in May; they estimated it hatched about May 15. The egg shell was present at that time & photos show the bird with an egg tooth. Photos show the claws on slab & tip of wing & the youngstr held in sunlight. Youngster was white downed & well formed with apparently shape

No text detected

Ford 2840 Gymnogyps californianus 19 January 1976 San Francisco Cliff. claws. Photos show youngster with full crop & holding head up. Chick did not regurgitate on first trip. On later trips it did. The photos show a great deal of handling of the chick. On one trip adult was in the cave when they entered. She was captured & banded with an eagle band. The old bird was kept for 2 or 3 hours, photosed, wingspread measured, etc. Movies show all this & details of head color. Head & neck could not be held with one hand - very strong. It was all two men could do to hold the bird. at one point the chick was brought near the adult for a picture & the adult snapped at it (luckily missed). When released, attempt was made to get a photo of bird adult fly-ing off from the cave. One of the men gave adult a toss to launch it but adult swung around & ran back into cave to the chick. Some photos of adult + chick together were taken (adult standing with head down near chick). Soon after adult ran to a rock point 100+ ft. away, spread wings as if running for a while, then took off. No other pictures of the nest adults perched were taken. Work said that 2 adults were

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus 18 January 1946 San Francisco, Cal. seen nearly on the next trip. The youngster was found dead & considerably consumed by carnivores (?) on Oct. 21. Carcass located at back of cave within inches of where egg was found. Scats were so collected in cave & given to Dr. Benson but so far unidentified. Parasites from carcass were given to Dr. Herman (sp.?) of Fish & Game Comm. (Strawberry Canyon) - he believed them all to be post mortem. The only parasites observed on the birds during life were midge ones which hid among the feathers. No bones were collected from cave floor tho photos seem to show some. Photos show the nest usual scats in the cave too. The day adult caught, chick was found drenched with pre-digested food. Adult regurg- itated "about a pint" of this too but it was too far gone for identification. Adult was not heard to utter a sound. Chick gave the ugh ugh sounds often. Chick was banded twice - once with an eagle band & later with a silver band spec- cially made & engraved by Grant Bros. Tarsus of chick was larger than adult. It was the impression of Nell & others that the adult was quite lean & light - about 16 lbs. The

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus 18 January 1946 san Francisco Calif. of adult wingspread was 8'2" (+) without great stretching. Adult had definite pink spots on tarsus in front of heels. Adult was tired to point of lying quite still at times while photos were being taken. The group also collected feathers & pellets (condors? - I doubt it) from below White Wash Ledge. Pictures of one adult drinking were obtained - the bird flew up onto cliff top from below in the morning -- probably it roosted on White Wash Ledge or near it. Adult nibbled, picked up, & dropped a limp object 4" long while drinking. The pool bottom & sand nearly atop Big Cove was covered with tracks in the photos. Work plans to complete & show a condor movie. He is working on this picture too so may not finish for a year or more. Dr. Miller explained the condor protection project to us & Will & it was agreed that nothing should be released which would arouse too much condor interest until protective measures were in effect. Will had talked with Pemberton & Crandall about condor protection & the possibility of setting Napper Basin as a refuge on a previous

No text detected

Gymnogyps californicus 18 January 1946 San Francisco, Cal. from Chamerfer occasion. Willis impression was that the major that action was only reason the region was not being taken was because oil exploration rights had already been granted for that area. Well & Able both thought that a gate with only a Forest Service lock above Pete Logan's place would be a good idea. This bunch was apparently not on too good terms with Dr. Bleitz - maybe he has "gone Hollywood". These men "candled" the cordow egg with a flashlight several times & said there was a large air space (1/4 +/-) on the last visit be- fore the chick hatched. A cordova article full of misinformation appeared in the S.F. Chron- icle in Tod Pawell's column last (?) year, they said - Dr. Will has the article. 28 January 1946 San Francisco, Cal. Visited Dr Harold M. Will at St Luke's hospital in San Francisco (he is an intern there). He showed me articles from Tod Pawell's column (The Woodswoman) in the S.F. Chronicle for March 30, April 11, & April 17, 1945, referring to cordova reports near Porterville and in S. Monterey Co. and at Rinconadas Nat'l Mon. I got these articles from the SF Chronicle for my clipping file. Will said he had visit-

No text detected

Gymnogyps alifornianus 28 January 1976 San Francisco Calif. ed The Princess (San Benito Co.) and talked to a man named Haine who works there. Haine said he had seen no condors there for 20 years. In 1893, Haine said, some deer hunters took an egg there, & part of the wooden scaffold they built to reach the same nest was still standing. Nell was told of the Kopper Canyon nest locale by a certain party about whom Nell is very secretive. This party is apparently a collector who was in the area in 1940 & reported an egg in the nest on March 14, 1940. The egg was found in 1946 on April 3 by Hill. April 4 a goat was put out on the rocks near Oscar's nest. On April 6 when the group was returning to the area, & condors were near the carcass, 2 or 3 on trees nearby, & others in the air (22 to 24 total). The carcass had been carved down to skin & bones. (Forging about feeding from al Wool's notes). Later a deer carcass was put out near the goat - Don Bleuty obtained photos of condors feeding on this carcass (turkey vultures & golden eagles too). On April 7, 1945, 7 dead hawk eggs were collected from the cliff above Hill's nest. Hill has had some corresponden

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus 28 January 1946 San Francisco, Calif. regarding cardors with John Baker, Pemberton, Crainmiller and FC Lincoln. T. Wake has flown over Napper Basin in a private plane, taken pictures of it from the air and seen cardors from the plane. Such sight seeing may well add to the disturbance of the cardors in the future. 1 February 1946 Porterville, Califi. Obtained address of Ross C. Welch, game warden (lives on W. Putnam, Porterville; phone 499, box 678) from Chamber of Com- mmerce. Found also that Jim Vincent, cattle- man, lives near Jack Ranch (Porey P.O.) in the White River area. Both those men were mentioned in S.F. Chronicle article of 30 March 1945, Vincent supposedly having found an injured cardor & killed it for specimen purposes. Next went to USFS headquarters in Porterville and talked with the ranger & other men, & showed them cardor photos. They had only a vague memory of the cardor incident & practically no knowledge of cardor identification. They said there had been lookout reports from Blue Ridge and Oak Flat lookouts in the past, but none in last couple of years. They

No text detected

Ford 2846 Gymnogyps californianus 1 February 1946 Porterville, Calif. said the lookouts used to have forms for reporting condors - I infer that the form has died during my absence. The secretary, who lives in Calif. Hot Springs district, said she saw one feeding on a calf there about a year ago. I looked at the fine relief map of Sequoia Nat'l Forest in the office - White River lies in the foothill region. Oak Flat, Blue Mtn., & Blue Ridge (S. to N.) have lookouts from where condors might be seen in this region. Breckenridge Mtn. also has a lookout. Walker Basin appears to be readily accessible to condors in the Black Mtn. - Breckenridge Mtn. area too. Talked with Ross Welch, game warden. He had been warden at Telescope till 1931, then at Kernville, then (since 1940) at Porterville. He was inclined to be overtalkative but some of his information seemed sound. In 1930, Welch said, he saw condors feeding near Manalith. He took a picture & sent it to F & L commission. The picture showed 3 on a fence & 12 on the ground, Welch said, & he was not sure what the birds were at the time. MacLean came down to the area with a photographer & they tried to get pictures of the condors but with little

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus February 1, 1946 Porterville, Calif. success. They used a pit blind & put a horse & other carcasses out trying to get feeding pictures. Welch said MacLean thought there must be a "rookerie" east of Monolith. Welch said he saw some "nesting" in Horse Canyon (near Monolith?) at a later date. They got one picture of a vulture taking a squirrel away from a raven, Welch said. The squirrels had been poisoned with thallium. A rancher told Welch he had seen some "big buzzards", much larger than turkey buzzards, feeding on 5 or 6 sheep which had been killed from eating thallium (in grain?). About 1932, at Tejon Ranch, Welch said the ravens were causing trouble with young stock, so strychnine poisoned bait was put out for them - vultures & buzzards ate this without ill effect. In the Monolith-Cummings Valley area, the vultures would often appear about 10 a.m. & leave just before sundown, Welch said. Welch also said he had seen vultures near Buttonwillow, & that an old Mexican there had told him they used to lasso the birds & use the feathers to make pens out of. About 1933 in Walker Basin, Welch said, he found a dead

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus February 1, 1946 Porterville, Cal. corder, but he had seen none alive there. He said also he had heard reports of corders at Indian Creek, Antelope Valley, & even north of Mojave. Around Porterville Welch recalled having seen none in winter. Last year he saw 8 about 8 miles east of Porterville (he marked about halfway between Succor & Springville on the map. He also claimed to have seen coders near Fountain Springs & White River (a few miles SE of these) & it was in this area (Coyote Springs) that Jim Vincent found an injured coder last spring (about May Welch judged). This bird was killed by Vincent (Welch thought its initial injury was a rifle wound) who had it mounted by Colburn of Los Angeles. I saw the bird, a well mounted adult in the standing position, at Price's Hardware Store, 317 (?) N. Main St., Porterville. The claws of this bird were long & but slightly blunted. Vincent lives near Jack Ranch & is a well known cattleman. He visits "The Orange" bar when in town. The game warden & F&G Commiss- ion were notified when the bird was found. Welch wanted it given to the Univ. of Calif. but Vincent wanted it kept in the Porterville

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus February 1, 1946 Porterville, Calif. area but available for study. Welch said there were occasionally condor tracks from Mobove in Pine Tree and Jaw-Bone Canyon. He had also seen them near Seloe and Castaic Lake, said. Welch suggested Ruben Gilliam of Porterville as a possible source of inform- atin; he formerly ran stock in the White River area. This area is best accessible by a road from Duco, said Welch: there are many gates (locked) along the road, but Welch offered to take me through them at some future date. Welch didn't believe condors got east beyond Walker Basin. He did not believe they frequented the mountains east of Porterville, but used the foothills for feeding & returned to distant roasts nightly. I drove from Porterville to the SSE to Springs Fountain Grove. The latter half of this road passes through treeless rolling grassy hills, well populated with stock. From From Fountain Springs to White River there are scattered oaks & increasing hilliness. From White River east the terrain gets more mountainous, oaks are close together, & there is only occasional open ground. There was light snow in spots at

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus February 1, 1946 Nr. Porterville, Calif. Vincent's place (about 3 miles NE of Blue Mtn.) and occasional digger pines. Blue Mtn. lookout should overlook the lower White River country. The country east of White River seems too wooded for much varda feeding. Welch placed the spot where Welch found the varda at about 3 1/2 miles west of White River (town). Mrs. J R Buckingham told me there had been a small article in the Bakersfield paper telling of a varda being killed in the White River district. She thought the article said the man had shot the varda because he thought it was injured. Vincent did not turn up by 0530 p.m. so I left a letter requesting that he write some notes on the subject & send them to me, & I returned to Delano. February 2, 1946 Bakersfield, Calif. Talked with Buford Fox, Kem Co. asst. Agricultural Commissioner, 2610 N. St., Bakers- field (phone 7671, ext. 44). While waistingated a display of poisoned grains which included zinc phosphide whole barley for squirrels, strychnine barley for squirrels, zinc phosphide rolled oats for squirrels, & other strychnine seeds for blackbirds, band birds, & others.

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus February 2, 1946 Bakersfield, Calif. Fox said there were vultures daily for about two months in May and June in the Pano Creek area (about 10 miles east of Famoso) when squirrels were being poisoned there last year (May & June). Many lizards too. Joe Keyes was present during the poisoning & took some pictures from a blind - the best of these was printed in the Bakersfield paper (Fox sent in the article). Fox said he also saw vultures near Edison - beyond the last potato shed, about 500 yards north of the railroad tracks - last year; a total of 17 birds at once feeding on a dead sheep, and 10 or 15 lizards. This was in a grain field (now planted). Fox said a trapper caught a vulture in a trap some years ago in the Baker Grade area near Bova - this area, up the side of Black-enridge Mtn., is where Fox thinks the vultures roost when feeding nearly as they appeared fairly early daily (near Pano Creek). The vultures ate poisoned squirrels every day, Fox said. Poisoning was largely with 1080 (sodium fluoroacetate), a war developed poison, & quite deadly. Only 1 oz. is used to 100 lbs. of grain.

No text detected

Gymnogyps californicus February 2, 1976 Bakersfield, Calif. 40,000 acres were poisoned last year, Fox said. Two trappers are working in Kern Co. now - one from Lost Hills & 1 from Maricopa - but Fox says they are not the type that would notice birds. Condors & buzzards are apparently unaffected by eating 1080 poisoned squirrels, for none was found dead tho squirrels were eaten daily, Fox said. Piper, an ornithologist, from the State Dept. of Agriculture, studied the effect of 1080 on birds. Joe Keyser should know much of this too. Fox maintains that condors were far from becoming extinct- this I believe is a false impression caused by many condors being in one area. The 17 was the largest number Fox had seen. Kalmlock from Denver was through recently & wanted badly to see a condor - but didn't. Fox had heard of no condors in Cummings Valley recently. He was taken aback by my interest in 1080 - said maybe he shouldn't have mentioned it. He has no love for the Audubon Society either - they have opposed poisoning sparrows around farms. Drove east on highway 766 toward Tehach- apai. Light breeze, a few high clouds, & quite warm. Some cattle in lowlands to N. of road

(blank) 3.67 g's - end log. 326 - to 5 ... 3:30 gull - 3 odd. ... -> ... 44 - 2 over + and, ... to 5, top ... 20

Gymnogyps californicus February 2, 1946 Nr. Edson, Cal. Near Mt. Adelaide. Spent an hour searching with Bruce near Mt. Adelaide but saw no condors - ravens, buzzards, & golden eagles were located. Air increasingly calm & sky clouding - a storm soon, it appears. Drove 5/2 to the Arwin road and 4+ miles toward Arwin so as to scan Bear Mtn. and the plains toward Arwin. At 3:07 saw one condor circling near the head of a canyon which leads toward Arwin from the top of Bear Mtn. Within a few minutes there were 4, then 6 circling together & rising over the head of the canyon. A fair breeze was blowing up the canyon. At 3:25 this group was heading S. toward Cummings Mtn. in a steady glide. Spacing was even at first, then ... -> .., then .... .. At 3:30, out of sight, but 3 others now circled over the same knoll of Bear Mtn., & these too headed S. after rising to about 800' altitude. 3:37, saw 1 adult about 2000' down the mtn. and 1+ mile N. of where the birds had circled. 3:44, 2 were circling and rising above the same knoll again, & these too went S. together - at least 9 condors, probably 11, were seen in the foregoing instance. I believe they were working their way S. after

No text detected

2854 Gymnogyps californianus February 2, 1946 Arvin, Calif. feeding somewhere further north. B. Fox had told me of a carcass above Box Springs on Brockridge Mtn. Perhaps the vulture fed there. By 7:20 located no more carcases, so drove to Arvin & than Tejón Ranch. Saw two sheep camps between Arvin & Tejón Ranch. These sheep are brought in for lambing, Perry Sprouge of Tejón Ranch told me. Usually there is no big sheep movement from Cumming's Valley until May or June. Perhaps these sheep have furnished some carcase food. Perry Sprouge said he had seen no vultures in the last couple of years but describ- ed no particular reason for this. February 3, 1946 Fillmore, Calif. Did Peyton told me that about 3 years ago Michael (sp.) had packed a photographer from the east, with a common name, up to the big meadow below Whiteow Peak (on W. side). He had put out carcases and John Storey got some fine pictures of vulture feeding. About 3 weeks ago, Stotham (sp.) had seen 70+ vultures at Torrey (canyon oppo- site Piru) at a carcass. Peyton, Ed Harrison, & Nedrock (sp.) of

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus February 3, 1946 Fillmore, Calif. Denver had visited Kopper Rim to collect plant & animal specimens for a habitat carda group at Denver Museum. They saw 7 immature cardors at that time, Sid said. Also they found a .22 & .410 which proved to belong to Don Bleitz. Peyton offered to take me to 3 old nest sites in Pine Canyon and one in Coldwater Canyon at some future date. A party of Coast & Geodetic Survey men are at present working on Kopper Rim, Sid said, camping in Pale Canyon. February 4, 1946 Fillmore, Calif. Lawrence Peyton said he had been in the San Pedro Marti last August & in 8 days in the mountains (9500+ ft.) saw no cardors. He had asked Mrs. Melling if any cardors had been seen and she had told him none for the last couple of years. Only 1 or 2 before that, Lawrence said. This June, Lawrence & Sid Peyton are going to Lower Calif. to collect & they assured me they would inquire about cardors. Hiked up Big Sepe canyon to Coldwater Canyon (Kenby's old place) with Sid Peyton Sr. & Jr. Met Lee Michel (sp?-) on the way. He had some stock near the west Fork which he occasionally visited. He said he had

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus February 4, 1946 Fillmore Clif. seen two condors flying about & landing on the cliffs near the old green salines (about 1 mile above so Coldwater Creek). Did told me that I only had told him of condors nesting one year on the ridge between Pine & Coldwater Canyon about 400' up from the bottom. Did also told me that when two condors were collected in the head of Coldwater Canyon for the Calif. Acad. of Sciences, 23 condors roosted here fairly regularly. Did had also seen carners bathing above the falls in the Coldwater Canyon, & Frank Grindel had taken an egg there. The head of Coldwater Canyon - now lightly snow blanketed - seems to have lots of good roost trees & nesting cliffs - why was this area abandoned? Despe Canyon, in contrast to most areas, has become less civilized rather than more. The road now reaches only to the dam (Pine Creek before war), at one time it extends clear up to the bend of the Despe when an oil rig was started there. The 1938 flood washed out the road for good. Lee Michael told us of packing in a man named "Stories" to the meadow above (E. of) Squaw Flat to get cardor pictures. This was doubtless John Storer. According to Michael, Storer was

No text detected

Gymnogyps californicus February 4, 1976 Fillmore, Calif. taking the pictures for San glider company. Over two weeks he paid Michael $135 for the services of his stock. Three calves were killed for condor bait. The first was clubbed about 5 p.m. & Michael left the carcass immediately - Luygards came the next day, but no carbas. The next calf was killed about 5 p.m. too & cut open. Michael said the carors were there in an hour & some pictures were procured [sounds goofy]. The third calf was cut open the full length, put out in the mom- ing, & the stock was nearly. The car- dors came, said Michael, and one looked swooped on the calf & dragged it about 25 feet [probably eagle if true]. Other was not interested in the feeding habits of the carons, only the flight, according to Michael. Michael wilingly told me his "idea" of how carons find food. "It is like the way seagions released at sea find there way home", he said. There is a certain "blend" which tells them where the food is, he said he thought. February 5, 1975 Pole Canyon, Calif. at 3:25pm. left Arundella's gate to drive to

No text detected

February 5, 1946 Mr. Fillmore, Calif. Hopper Rim. Sky clear, light breeze, & cool. at 3:50 saw 3 condors (2 + adults) circling & rising over Oat Mtn. (1 high, 2 low). They rose to about 1,000' then glided toward Hopper Basin passing above & E. of Hopper Mtn. Top. Could not drive beyond Hopper Ranch trail so parked & hiked to Parking Place. Saw one condor over E. side of Hopper Mtn. at 5:15; it headed toward Big Cave area. Sidney Beyton Jr. was accompanying me on this trip. We camped near Hopper Ranch trail. Talked with Gene Percy earlier today. He said he had seen 40 condors on a cow-carcass on Rundell Ranch below Black Paps (Bob Canyon). This instance - when he saw over 40 - is noted in a letter to me (see my info file). In 1943 there had been so heavy snowfall. Oak tops were broken & much brush washed down so that trails were obscured. This year for Forest Service men have been working out at brushing out the Rundell Spring trail (my WT Canyon) and Spring Canyon trail (below Humberton Rock). Percy said Dan Bleitz phoned him once asking about condors. Bleitz also phoned Frank Rundell about same. Percy said once this year he saw 2 or 3 condors fly over his house low (about 1 mile from highway) in Hopper Canyon. Coyotes,

No text detected

2859 Gymnogyps californianus February 5, 1946 N. Fillmore, Calif. Have been thick & saucy this year, Percy said. He lost many cattle in the snowy winter but saw no cardors feed upon them. 6 February 1976 Napper Canyon, Calif. Temperature about 30 last night on Napper Rim, but air calm. Heard no coyotes but saw tracks on road. At 8 am left head of Napper Ranch trail with Ed Peyton Jr. We hiked to Pyramid L.O. along the good dirt road stopping some of the old roads along the way. At 8:30 arrived at Pyramid L.O. It was still in good shape though 3 windows were broken and some tarpaper stripped off. A good many names & dates had been written inside - among them "July 19, 1941. Ornithology Class Field Trip. Instructor Dr. Mary Erickson. Santa Barbara State College." (followed by about 9 names). Frozen snow patches lay were sparse. Sky clear. Sun rose about 7 a.m. Saw 4 cardors in Big Cave area. Two were in a shaded hole to N. of Big Cave. They were close together, wings upraised occasionally, & may have been mating or displaying. Two more later entered the hole but all seemed amicable. One seemed with wings spread on White wash ledge about 8:45. Spotted 3 atop Cardor Cliff about 9:00. These were adults, within 5-

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus February 5, 1976 Hopper Canyon, Calif. ft. of one another, occasionally walking about & balancing with wings. Saw one stop the main roast tree in front of Big Cave (in shade) but it left within a few minutes. Again saw 2 on a sunny ledge 100' north of Big Cave - possibly some mounting attempts, it appeared. At 9:15 there was an uneven fair breeze from N. Saw 6 sure cardors - 4 in sun on Whitewash Ledge & 2 stop Cedar Cliff as before. All in sunshine. Now at pool above Big Cave - possibly frozen solid. Water in creek below Big Cave but not much - 7 +/- wide at lower end of Cedar Creek. Saw no sign at Oscar's or Wale's nest - both clearly visible from the lookout. At 9:30, 3 on Whitewash Ledge 2 ft., quiescent in sunshine, & 2 adults on Cedar Cliff as before. We left for Oscar's. In Pyramid LO on window was notation in paint "John Laurence Murray painted here March 5/72". At 9:55 saw one circling over E. side of the basin well down in the canyon - probably not leaving the roosting area. Reached Pumbata Rock at about 10:10 and my #1 next camp at 11:20. At 11:25 saw 2 cardors circling & rising over Nath Point. One adult, one imm. The adult was highest. Imm. had large chip out of left distal end of tail [illegible]. Noted again the turning movements -

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus February 8, 1976 Hopper Canyon, Calif. to turn right, left edge of tail tilted down, then right wing tip dipped, then bird turns. The adult glided over Arundell Ridge & circled, the yo-imm. rose to 1000±', then headed toward Hopper Mtn. & gave 1 wing dip on the way. Breeze faint or absent; sky overcast with cirrus stratus. Smokes hanging in the valley; a poor soaring day so far, I believe, & these birds probably the first out. 11:43, saw two adults circling & rising over the ridge NW of #1 nest cave. They rose together to about 1000'; then glided together toward Whiteacre Peak. About 11:47 an imm- dure had appeared below the circling adults - it had an outer left secondary missing (at least 2 imm. seen today). It circled & rose to about 300'; then glided after the adult(s) (½ - mile behind). A fresh breeze now blowing up the canyon. Went to cliff top above #1 nest cave. Descended by rope to the cave. It smelled of condors but there was no ev- idence of it having been used since 1939. At 12:30 we left Oscar's & hiked E. to the road (quite lovely). Saw 2 condors circling over the rim W. of Oscar's. Later saw 1 over rim near North Cliffs - it came within ¼ mile, circling (adult). At about 1:20 saw 3 adults circling near where the road reaches top of the E. rim. A youngster circled near them.

No text detected

Ford 2867 Gymnogyps californianus February 6, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Calif. One adult had feet down. Later saw one adult soon past us (¼ mile) heading toward Cades Cliffs & 2 adults circling over the Big Cave area. Later two adults (same?) were seen heading N. from near that area (300± alt.) and at 1:30 we came upon 6 on a light sandstone out-cropping (-the one in air + 2 from S. probably rock landed). This cliff was unwhitewashed but contained many potholes, & is located 200± yds. N. of where road reaches summit of the E. Rim. Birds spaced ∞ ∞ ∞, about 20' between pairs. One each of lower two pairs was imm., all others adult. They stood quietly and we watched from the road. Had they detected food nearby? or had air currents failed. The breeze was light from SW. About 1:35 one of the upper adults took off & headed SE. about 1:38 all the others left & took a similar course, some flopping 2+ times. One adult had an outer left secondary + one on inner left primary out. One youngster was different from 2 previously seen today - so at least 3 imm. have been seen. At 1:47 and adult circled ¼ to 5. of us then bee off to E. We continued on the road and at 2:20 arrived at its end in the head of

3.10-B + 4ar el - [illegible] - over than & more 8 et. s ubseque nt to 3:20+. left 3/30. 3 m | two | on other on an R. Theatre - stop 2'" length.

Gymnogyps californicus February 6, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Calif. Upper Cader Canyon near Two Pikes. We hiked down the canyon to Cader Falls & then saw 5 cardors on Whitewash Ledge (2 ad, 1 imm.), an imm. atop the cliff above them, & an adult 100' to W. of the falls on cliff top. We stood still in full view after about 3 minutes, the one adult took off, cirled, & landed on Whitewash Ledge using the landing flaps. Left foot slipped in landing & was draught up again quickly. The youngster atop the cliff took off & then the others, but not he- for another imm. (a left rectry missing) be- gan circling above Cader Falls, & 3 new birds approached from N± - at least 8 cardors; at least 4 imm. These left around Cader Cliff, thn 5 returned, circled low over us & Post Tree, then all left (about 3:20). We found cador tracks near the falls broke on both sides of the pool, but none over 20" from break, & comparatively few tracks - made by 3 birds at least I judged. One "step" measured about 2" from center toe to rear toe; was about 2" off- set. At 3:30 we left for the road at Two Ps., hiking up the rock ledges above N. Cader Cliffs. I saw 2 or 3 cardors in top of one Ps. on Arundell Ridge - probably the birds we sawed from the falls roosted there. Sove for

No text detected

2864 Gymnogyps californianus February 5, 1946 Hopper Canyon, 617' at Southward Lodge one adult no condor seen today seemed to have a bulging crop, yet activity apparently started about 11:30 and ended about 3 p.m. At 4:10 saw one adult near Two Pk., 100±' alt., heading SE. Perhaps today's feeding was nearby to NE of Hopper Basin. At Carda Falls, good clear water was running freely though ice formed from spray at falls top. The camp (F.S.) at Pendley Rock was abandoned - the trail again completed, I suppose. We returned via the road to our camp at junction of road & Hopper Ranch trail. No one but us has apparently used this road since the storm of a couple of days ago. The road is not possible to autos clear to end, but to about a mile from it (if dry). Impossible now due to mud, snow, water. No sign of the C&GS men - perhaps they have finished too. The burn which swept up from the creek bottom 1½ mile below Oscar's to the W. Rim has grown up so as to form a fairly effective barrier to man or horse. A tractor trail cuts off the road E. of Oscar's & goes to Carda Creek below (¼ mile) Big Cave. One adult at Big Cave had a short outer secondary in each wing. One bird had #6 ± left primary missing. I searched for leg band on close seeing condors - closest adult 50±' overhead - but saw none.

No text detected

2865 Gymnogyps californianus February 7, 1946 Hopper Rim, Calif. Sunrise 6:50+, sky clear, temp. 75+. Left camp at 8:15. Arrived Pyramid 10 8:40. On the way saw 2 condors roosting in canyon W. of Parking Knoll. An imm. on a stub branch near top of a dead Ps., & an adult on a branch of another Ps. 700+ further down the slope, both about 200 yds. down from I road level. Perhaps these were some of those we scared from Cedar Falls area yesterday. Ruffs up to ears. Both perched facing W. & still in shadow. Occasional gusts of strong breeze. From Pyramid 10 spotted no more condors using telescope - found none on Whitewash Ledge or vicinity. Cirrus haze + smoke haze in valleys today. We left 10 at 9 a.m. for Whiteacre Lake (we being myself & Kidley- ton Jr.) and at 11:15 were about 200yds. N. of the peaks. Most of the trail was snow covered (3-5”). We continued on down the trail to Squaw Flats to the nest cave where I found the egg in 1941. I entered the cave, easily accessible from the trail 50+ yds. below. Found many bone fragments which I kept. This circumstance indicates that the nest has been used since my last visit there in 1941. However, the whitewash & smell seemed old & I found no dawn nor feathers; two plants of about 12” or greater height grew in the same month; thus,

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus February 7, 1946 Nr. Whiteacre Pk., Clif. I do not believe the cave was used last year. At 11:50 I entered the cave - an adult condor soared 100±' overhead a few min- utes later (first seen flying today), then was heard to land nearby. Did & I collected bones - including epiphyses of bone, one rodent humerus (?), a piece of ungulate scapula, & rib fragments, & a weathered carnivore-like tooth. The usual lay: number of scans was present - hollow with end chewed off. A few bones were found at rear most part of the cave - perhaps rodents carried them there. The place where egg was found was dry & had a slight hollow with a deeper hollow in the center - no caver tracks or scratch marks were present, however, & this hollow was sticks littered like the rest of the floor. Left the cave at 12:15 - saw two adults perched in a Ps. step the cliff to S. of the cave, 150±' above us & 100±yds. uphill. Probably a pair which will nest this year, perhaps at this cave. New is evidence of the pair being together before keeping company at the nest site before the egg is laid. I hope to get a good idea of incubation time this year - perhaps will find a February egg at this spot. The trail had been repaired & brushed out as far as White- sore Pkls but not beyond - yet was possible

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus February 7, 1945 Hopper Rim, Ventura Co., Calif. to horses as far as we went. At 12:45 reached the summit of the trail again - saw one condor, long leading for Hopper Canyon over E. side of Whiteman Peak. Saw 9 deer & one mountain lion in Deer Meadow W. of Whiteman Peak - the lion deer left before the lion got too close. At 2:45 left for Parking Place & camp. At 4:20 saw 2 out on ledges at Big Cave. At 5:00 from Pyramid H.O I could spot only 2 at Big Cave F-6. At 5:07, F-6, the left one in a path hole. Air fairly calm since 3 p.m. Dark haze at 3500 ft. level. Fog rolling S. over Liebre Mtn. vicinity. 50° F. at 5 p.m. Went to camp. Saw no condors in roosts along the way or on S. Ridge. The condor track we measured at Big Cave yesterday was 6 1/8" from center of rear toe claw to center of center toe claw marker. February 8, 1945 Pasadena, Calif. Talked with J.R. Pemberton recorders. He told me of Nelli (Dr. HM) visit of some some time ago - Pemberton did not know of the picture eries of Wake & Hill in photographing condors but was fairly well impressed by Nelli. Pemberton had also been visited by Crommiller and Swift re measures for condor protection, & he had recommended closure of the Hopper

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus February 8, 1946 Pasadena, Calif. Canyon area during the breeding season. Pember-ton was last at Hopper Rim on Dec. 7, 1941, with his son Johnny Johny. Johny goes to a "trailfinders" school & the boys camp in the Despe as well as at other areas - Johny (age about 12) says they always see condors. The boys are well educated in condor lore - Pember-ton shows his condor movies to them every year (also still shows them occasionally to other organizations). Pember-ton said he would run down the status of the oil exploration rights in Hopper Canyon for me - he believes they may have options or will soon. February 9, 1946 Hollywood, Calif. Visited Don Bleity at his camera shop at 5330 Hollywood Blvd. Bleity showed me many of the 4x5 kodachrome pictures he took in Hopper Canyon last year. He has several of the chick at various stages, pictures of the egg, & scenic pictures of the area. The color is of excellent quality. Bleity also has "color" pictures of condors on a deer carcass on the rocks near #1 nest cave and many black and white pictures which I did not see. He offered to print me a set of these pictures when materials were available, + Bleity said

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus February 9, 1946 Hollywood, Calit. He had set out many carcasses for the cardors in the same area. A horse, which he got from Pete Legan, was untouched. Two dogs were eaten (not seen, but feathers nearby on return). Sheep were also tried, & 2 deer. One of these deer was found dead near Peters - probably 2 or 3 days old & ripped open by coyotes (?), a doe. This was laid out on the rocks; Bleitz found 20+ cardors at the carcass when he returned to it & flushed them. The next day ravens, then buzzards, feled, & 6 cardors came. These fed on the carcass, as many as 3 being at the carcass at once. A single bird lifted the carcass & dragged it behind a rock. Again one dragged it back into view. The remains were estimated at 60 lbs. weight at this time. Some of the birds just sat around on the rocks. With the horse, the birds sat around but did not feed. Don said he would give me a copy of his cardor notes & get all his cardor pictures together so that I could view them. He takes pictures of birds because he enjoys it and does not approve of egg collecting or handling of the chick or adult egg. The whole picture of the egg out of the nest was

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus February 9, 1946 Hollywood, Calif. taken when Blitz & Well were absent, & they were not told of it until the egg had hatched. Blitz is collecting material for a book of bird pictures with some narrative - including candors - but completion is still far in the futures. Blitz does color photography for various magazines at high prices ($500+ for magazine covers). He seems like a good sort, not likely to harm the birds or give them un- favorable publicity. I warned him against the dangers of mentioning poisoning in connection with cendors & advised against publicity until ad- equate protective measures were in effect. Blitz uses flash bulbs for additional light in many daylight color shots, but he said the condors showed no reaction - at the most one would look slowly around, even though the flash was only about 10 feet away and reflectors in the open. Buzzards gave way to a condor & stood back while the condor was feeding on a dead carcass, Blitz said. February 10, 1946 Pasadena, Calif. Visited Jim Frassero who took some condor pictures in the past - he had not been to the condor country since there with me but was anxious to go again - probably with Don Blitz. At Fillmore, Sid Peyton told me that son-

No text detected

2871 Gymnogyps californianus February 10, 1946 Fillmore, Calif. dors nested one year below the cliffs west of Oil Will Pt. (local name) in Big Serpe Canyon. He said he had also seen carnos & lnyzards at the falls there. February 12, 1946 Hopper Mtn., Calif. Drove up Bole Canyon from Fillmore, occasionally stopping to search for carnos. At 3 pm. saw 4 circling & rising about 2 miles 55w of Hopper Mtn. and at 3:05 saw 3 others over head of Bole Canyon leading toward Hopper Canyon. Day cold (40F), 2/10 cumulus, snowing over Libne Mtn. & Pine Mtn. area. A sprinkling of snow on parts of Oil Ridge s. of Hopper Canyon. One bird at least seemed stuffed-so I judge the 7 were returning from feeding. Drove to near Pyramid LO & was in LO at 3:30. Seven carnos spaced 100-500 yds. apart were gliding N± over the W. Rim at that time. Upon reaching the LO I saw 18 perched on Whitworth Ledge -some in +t in potholes, the rest in the open. Wind was 30± mph from NW air very clear. At about 3:45, 3 more came in over Parking Knoll & I saw 19 others on the cliff (22 total). Watched one adult over 10 minutes. It glided from over Parking Knoll to Carver Cliffs, then wove about in East Canyon until above the E. Rim, then hed toward Big Cave, put feet down, & milled

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus February 11, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Glif. with 7 others over to the top of the cave. I search- ed for other perched birds - found but one; this in sunshine near mouth of a cave between 3rd & 4th. east canyon from Hopper Creek S. of WT Canyon. In years past I had have seen condors (1 or 2) perched (Percy, Percy Pts.) in that vicinity. The cave was 200' above the stream; nodes were lightly whitewashed; a possible meeting site. The bird may have been a youngster of last year - very quiet & inactive and unchanged by 4:30 (since 4 or earlier). Even in protected spot it was difficult to write because of cold. The ledge at Big Cave at 4:35 looked about thus: 4:39 - 5 or + condors meaning about the cave tops, some with feet down & roosting birds to make at least 26. One gave 5 locking flaps, feet down in landing on ledge. 4:42 - 28 now, 2 in air. The wind still fair but somewhat unsettly, from WT. Some condors perched nearly touching & others in same pathole without alteration. 4:45, two ravens soaring near top of Big Cave. at least

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus February 11, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Calif. Half the condors near Big Cave are adults. Quiescence predominates tho one occasionally walks about or shifts perches. 5 p.m. - the lone bird beyond Rock Ridge perched as before. 3 adults atop cliff above Whitewash Ridge, 6 ft in potholes & 16+ on open ledges. Two adults atop cliff seemed very friendly & at times it appeared that a mating display was in progress - a 3rd adult stood 10+ ft. away. A youngster alighted 6+' from this 3rd adult. About 3 minutes later one of the pair walked over to the 3rd adult - the youngster flew away. Some of the perched birds - especially isolated ones in potholes - have apparently not shifted roosts for over an hour. No birds seen roosting in trees; more, near pool stop Big Cave since 3:30 apparently; no scanning seen. 5:10 - counted at least 30 condors at Big Cave, + milling in air about the roast ledges. Sunset shadow has crossed top of Big Cave (3:10). 3:15; those, plus including 2 on a tap bare green-tipped branch of Roast Tree. Still

No text detected

ford 2874 Gymnogyps californianus February 11, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Cal. f. windy & still some roost shifting. 30°F at 5:20. Two left cliff top for lower perch on rocks - direct route, no circling. 5:25 one on tip top of Roast Tree. I left because of the cold & drove to upper Pale Canyon to camp. Strong cold wind continued; snowing on Cablestone Mtn. February 12, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Cal. f. sky clear, light W. breeze. 32° at 7:10 am at Pyr- amid LOLO. At 7:10 I saw 25 condors at Big Cave, 4 being in top of Roast Tree offors, 3 in pot- holes W. of the cave & the rest on Whitewashed Ledge near it - the ledge appeared: None apparent atop the ciff or at the drinking pool. At 7:15 saw one flap from Ledge as if shifting perch. Two (1 in pothole, one on tree branch) seemed flattened in the roosting position, the others standing. The lone bird beyond Rock Ridge was still there - about 3' from where seen last evening. No snow fell in Hopper Basin last night - some on ridge W. of Cablestone Mtn. though. Air dry. 7:25, four (3a + adults) flocks glided straight down Cardon Canyon below Big Cave & disappeared behind (cliff side of) Arnold Cliffs.

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus February 12, 1976 Hopper Canyon, Calif. Sunshine line about 60' from birds resting at White wash ledge - but no movement to meet it. Breeze very faint at times. Scanned Pine & Coldwater Can- yon & Oil Well Pt. area in the deeps - good view & light, but spotted no condors. Steady stream of water in joke at Oil Well Pt. & Coldwater Canyon. Left for Whitacre Pk. Left road or trail at 8:35 and dropped into the Agua Blanca side at 9:35. At 10:15 was in the Whiteacre nest cave - there was no sign of condors having been there since my last visit a few days ago, nor were any condors seen in the area. No breeze, clear sky. Found 2 old primaries down the slope from nest cave, & a tooth & bone tip about 10' below mouth of cave, at 11am. was at a vantage point about 1/4 mile from the nest cave; searched cliffs with binocs, but no evidence of condors. Perhaps my former visit scared away the pair of adults. Was again impressed with the abundant cliffs at E. end of Pine Mtns. (near Thorn Pt.). Left this spot about 11:40. At 12:00 was near top of White- acres Pk. Saw 6 condors circling above N.W. Rim, so at a past "rising time". Light SW breeze, temp. 78°F., sky 8/10 cumulus. [Most near in 1946 CK] adult on top of a ledge, about 1 mile SSW of

No text detected

2876 Gymnogyps californianus February 12, 1946 Whiteacre Pk., Calif. Whiteacre Pk. Another adult circled down & alighted alongside at 12:08+. Ruffed high up on both. This series of ledges - on the slope side of Napier Rim, offers many nesting possibilities. The birds moved 6+' apart after 5+ minutes and were still that way at 12:30. They occas- ionally preened or looked at their feet - very quies- cent - just standing - right side to sun. Breeze very light. About 12:15 saw 2 circling & rising at same level over W. Rim. Air nearly calm at times - smokey haze in valleys. The rising cordon seemed to be using more dihedral than usual - lizzard like . 12:50- no change in the 2 perched adults; they appeared: [illegible] atop the 60+' high ledge, the highest in a series of + such ledges, 150+ below level of highest ledge on W. Napier Rim. On the steep slope below the birds are many Bz., some with bare limbs which appear suitable for perches & roosts. About 1:07+1/2, outer adult spread wings & sunned back. Ruff down during this process, & the bird preened under parts with bill. 1:10 folded wings slowly, one a little before the other. 1:14+, this outer bird walked around inner one, head down & one wing half raised. The other calmly walk-

No text detected

2877 Gymnogyps californianus February 12, 1946 Whiteacre Pk., Calif. ed to outermost point. First followed, & with an easy spring with wings half raised, landed on top of second. Both birds stood calmly thus for about 30 seconds after top one gained its balance. Then it seemed that top one had head & bill close to head of bottom one, & top one flopped gently as if balancing. Top bird jumped off onto rock about 1:16 1/4, & a few seconds later took off & landed in a dead tree 150+ yds. W. of & 100' below the other. The ♀ (?) remained on its perch, unperturbed apparently after this mounting, & was still the same at 1:25. The ♂(?) was facing ♀'s direction perched on a top branch of a dead topped Ps. on a SW & WSW leading ridge running from the first perch point. I believe this is the first mounting I have seen which was at all successful - copulation probably did not take place unless very briefly. A raven alighted 30+ 'from & 10' above the ♂ - no reaction. Raven later alighted on top of ♂'s branch - ♂ seemed unconcerned, tho head down, for 10+ sec- onds, then suddenly raised wings (possibly balancing movement) & raven flew. 1:42, another raven on center stub of ♂'s tree - 6+' from ♂ & at same level, but no reaction apparent from adult. 1:45, ♂ ruffled up wings, then gave a half stretch with left

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus February 12, 1946 Whiteacre Pk, Calif. wing. 30+ sec. later turned about, facing seen. A raven perched 3+ toward trunk from adult - no reaction (adult preened) until raven flew off; then adult's wings flew up (balancing). Adult turned around again (facing ?) & both adults were in air about 1:48. They circled over head of a steep canyon near their perch until at Rim level. One had feet down. One showed "croft ledge". One with feet down held close to them together. This one also excreted in air - a watery substance. Earlier the ? excreted over edge of cliff; the excrement going straight straight down in a stream. The two circled rose over me to 1,500+ above me, then flew glided to NW toward San Rafael Pk. area. (gone at 1:55). Breeze very light still. In calm air dihedral seems greater than in wind; & more primaries bent up (only 3+ when flying gliding in wind). A duck hawk soared within 50 ft. of the condors several times without attacking - condors showed no reaction. Both adults seemed to have all flight feathers. About 2:30 left for Hopper Basin. Saw 2 over W. Rim heading SE about 2:45. At 3:30 reached road. Too air dead calm but cool. 3:45, one adult circled & rose to about 4000' level above Arundell Cliffs, then glided NW until over me, then circled & rose over W. Rim, then glided SE just W. of

No text detected

Ford 2879 Gymnogyps californianus February 12, 1946 Hopper Canyon Ckt. Rim + 1000± above it. This bird circled 5+ min- utes above Parking Knoll area, then glided across canyon until 1000± over E. Rim, then slowly spiraled down in Big Cave vicinity (4:04). About 3:50 saw a second adult over W. Rim near me - it headed into Hopper Basin when at 500± alt. Yet another seen gliding toward Big Cave area from E. at about 4 p.m. The one which took the long trip (adult) had no apparent flight feather deficiencies. Soaring made a light sing- ing sound. No flaps were seen, but several dips + half dips. Some turns in circling were made without me wing tip dipping first, & some with (usual). Leading edge of wing very straight in soaring - no nuckle visible at wrist. The air is apparently good for soaring though no air motion is apparent on Hopper Rim & there is a heavy gray haze at about 3500 ft. level. Drove toward Old Cabin until I got a good view of Big Cave - saw at least 12-14 there at 4:25. One sunned, looked to swim. None at pool. 3 in top branches of Roost Tree. From Old Cabin at 4:33 counted 22 con- ders at Big Cave area. 4± were within 10±' of the pool atop the falls but did not seem to drink. Still much shifting between roasts but some birds flattened (202) out in roosting position (1 on a top branch of Roost Tree).

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus February 12, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Calif. Usual number of Vocking slopes in shifting perches is 5; often 4. 4:43 - 4 in top of Roast Tree have been constant for 10+ minutes - the second on this branch lay flat, facing NWt, at 4:45. One landed in a small pothole containing another - the immature flopped several times to keep balance, but both stayed in. 4:48, again 4 at pool, xat least 1 drinking. An imm. was flushed from 4 separate perches in rapid succession by an adult - adult landed & imm. took off to another perch; adult followed soon after. imm. was airborne & landed beside imm.; imm. off again - and so on. Air calm; sun obscured by thick cirro stratus clouds. Sourced from bird watching. February 13, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Calif. Cold & 6/10 alto stratus at 7:45; fair breeze from SW. At Big Cave I saw 12 perched condors - 8 on open ledges, 2 on top branches of Roast Tree, & 2 in potholes. None was seen atop cliff - I do not believe they roost atop the cliff; probably too un-protected. I drove up the road to near #1 nest cave, then left car at 8:30 & hiked down the tractor trail which led above North Point then down toward Big Cave. At 9:07, 13 condors soared from Big Cave area toward Turnbull Cliffs; & began to circle & rise together. The first 10 birds came out together, about

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus February 13, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Calif. 100 yards apart, in column - the next 3 1/4+ mile behind. I was about 3/4 mile N. of Carbon Cliffs at the time; breeze very light; temp. 44 F.; sky clear. The birds rose in a rough group, the lower 3 maintaining a separate bunch. The condor milling is not nearly as regular as that of turkey vultures - condors seem to be in groups of 2 or 3 within the larger group. One flew at another 4+ times as if chasing; these "attacks" usually ended with both birds flapping 5-8 times. It is as though pursued bird climbs to get out of way - or when both lose balance they must flop to regain it. A third attacked the pursuer 3+ times in some manner but no apparent contact. 8 flaps was maximum seen; about 4/sec. The bunch broke up and 8+ milled above Rock Ridge while 2 or + headed N. and others circled over E old Calvin area. I was in open, but none seemed to notice me. Two adults returned toward Big Cave, fles gliding & giving an occasional attitude - legs dip, feet down, & landed at 9:25 in a pothole 70'+ from top of a parapet-like prominence 300+ yds. N. of Big Cave. The other condors were all out of sight by about 9:20 - rising times about 9:10 today. One of the adults squatted flat in pothole

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus February 13, 1946 Hopper Canyon, QI.X. mouth (facing in) after 3+ minutes, while other en- tered hole but turned as head protruded - they were still there at 9:40. Retrogressing - 21 cawors were seen at once in the air about 9:15. I contin- ed down the trail passing about 200 yds. from and 100+' below the adult pair - the ritter stood & both seemed to watch me, one with head down most of the time. The pair left about 10:07 when I was well past them. At 10:00 I saw 3 cawors in air over North Slope, this same pair, & 4 (2 ad., 2 imm.) still at Whitewash Ledge. One youngster soared (flap glided) down Cawor Canyon when I was 300+ yds. away, than an adult 1+ min. later, then other adult, & 5+ min. later the last youngster. The adult pair & last 2 on Ledge left while I was rested about 200 yds. from Big Cave. Last youngster gave 8 successive flaps in flap gliding. Liked to end of tractor trail - 100+' from Cawor creek - then crossed creek & climbed trail through the brush to foot of Cawor Cliff, then went W. at cliff foot to Wales nest (arrived 10:45). Collected 30+ bones, tooth fragments, & seashells (!) from inside the cave & for 20+' below cave mouth. The shells & all but 1 or 2 small mammal bones were outside. There were several film & flash globe wrappers, a film spool, broken flash globes, & 2 cigarette butte

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus February 13 1946 Hopper Canyon, Calif. also near the entrance - anyone skirting the cliff dose would be suspicious. A few old cardor feathers outside too. No cardors seemed interested in my presence though a pair of duck hawks "chod" loudly & dove near me repeatedly. The cave foces toward Pyramid 10 x Hopper mtn. & Russell Cliffs, almost directly over (150' above top) the dead Ps. in lower part of Carda Canyon. Entrance large & irregular - shaped about , Max- imum width about 12' & height 10'. From entrance the cave slopes up at about a 20° angle to a flat floor in the rear. This flat - where egg was I believe - comes to a point at the rear & the plan view appears about this: The floor was covered with 2-4" of fine dust, liberally strewn with down, scoms & hazel(?) nuts, rock fragments, & occasional bones. The ceiling of this flat the part averaged about 2' - 20" about min- umum. The rear 6x4' triangle seemed by far the most used - the bones were found in the trough all the way down to cave mouth. There was no evidence of cardors having visited the cave this year. Clement (dark) was up to

No text detected

2884 Gymnogyps californicus February 13, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Calt. 18" to 20" high on same walls. But this cave shows not so much screment or as many bones as some others - the whitacre one for instance - so may have had a chick only once in recent years. A cross section about halfway in from entrance to rear (30' total) appears about: a cleft above for 10' rear triangle trough to mouth Light breeze only; sky clear. I collected bone fragments for specimens & departed cave at 11:30. Had occasionally seen 1 to 3 condors over Hopper Basin while at cave. Rear of this cave quite dark so that I had great difficulty in searching for bones. The point at W. side of cave mouth was only one with even moderate whitewash - no thick chalky deposits here. Investigated below Whitewash Lodge & Carda Falls then until 12:30 - no condors some near. I found 20+ primaries + secondaries, & below Whitewash Lodge, where screment thick, I found a hair ball (den it appeared) such as work reported; perhaps a condor pellet. Then went down Carda Canyon & visited #9 nest below lower falls in Carda Canyon. Apparently it had not been used since 1941 although one point at mouth was well whitewashed (ravens?).

No text detected

2885 Gymnogyps californicus February 13, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Calif. Inside the cave there was no carbon smell nor fresh whitewash. About 10' from rear of cave a 3 foot long x 1 ft. thick rock slab had fallen from the overhead & partially blocked the opening though not critically (still plenty of room for cards to pass. Found a few bones & shell (clam type) fragments inside cave & below mouth - very few; I probably collected them before in 1941. A stack of flat rocks I used for a camera rest in the cave was undist- urbed & untouched. This cave is about 40' long. The entrance is visible from rear end. Opens toward the tops of some alders 100± ft. away & a grassy- oaky bank 100± farther - apparently a poor takeoff spot as at most can only drop about 20' without hitting alder tops & must fly only down canyon or turn within 50 yds. of leaving entrance. The egg location was about 8' long & covered with 3±" of fine silt. Many large scours in this one (50±). The silt strip was about 16" wide & the ceiling about 3ft. above: J x-sect egg locale. About 10±' out from the rear, a gentle slope (10±°) starts & leads 10±' to a jumble of broken sandstone fragments of good size (1-2' across). The entrance to the cave is a slanting cleft ± about 8' high. There is a bee nest about

No text detected

2886 Gymnogyps californianus February 13, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Calif. 15' outside the entrance, apparently, & just above it. A 5 ±' sprig of Yuba Santa grows down from top of entrance. This cave is 200' down canyon from the lowest cascade of Corder Falls and faces about NW. It is about 100' above creek bed - a steep climb but not difficult as slope is shrubby. Left this next cave & went up Corder Creek. At about 2:15 saw 4 cardors over North Slope apparently heading for Big Cave. At 2:40 saw 4 circling over North Slope. At 3pm saw 8 at Big Cave - 2 were imm.; one imm. swooped up to a top branch of Roost Tree. Others were on Whitewash Lodge. 3:10, one adult was chased by duck hawk - the whistle of wings brought my attention to it - no contact but about 2' from it. The cardor landed immediately on White wash Lodge. By 3:15, 10 cardors & 1 ± by 3:20. Fat Roost were imm. Two sunned backs briefly with wings outspread. Adult atop Roost Tree facing NW & evening; imm. 2 ±' lower & 6 ±' away facing adult, & quiet. I was setting 200 ± yde. NW of Big Cave. 3:28 3/4, 2 imm. & one adult sunning lodes. One adult appeared to have the outer right secondary missing. 3:26, now - 14 cardors (6 imm.) at Big Cave. One imm. had scoty head but pinkish neck with red patch in front of neck. 3:28 - now 16; 2 on Roost Tree, 2 atop cliff near Big Cave, rest on

No text detected

ford 2887 Gymnogyps californianus February 13, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Cal. f. open ledge . 3:30, 2 more adults spiraled down & landed about 1 minute apart. Whitewash Ledge now appears: imm. - lone adult mmss eeee 3:33, two more adults here; one from cliff top & 1 from top of Roast Tree. The flapping of this latter made a high "woot woot" -1mm. sound of snappy quality. Corrections - 8 imm.; me with adult atop cliff-the imm. flapped lightly while facing adult as if "sleing" for food. Lone adult Two adults took off & glided down the canyon at 3:32+. Within 3 minutes, all but 6 (4 of these were imm.) were off & circling over me. They gradually rose, broke into several groups, & rejoined over Arundell Ridge where I counted 18 in air & 6 on cliff (24 total!!). I hiked fast up North Slope to avoid further distur- bance of the birds. At 3:40 one alighted on Whitewash Ledge. About 3:45 saw one atop a P.S. on Arundell Ridge. 7:00-16 in one branch over Pyramid Canyon - only 8 by 4:05. There was a fair breeze up the canyon at 4:05; temp. 50°F.; sky clear. I continued up the slope. 10cm- dors continued to mill together here & there - occa- sionally 200' above me. At 4:25 they were over Pyr- amid Canyon. at 4:30 I could spot more. at 50m. Breeze light. Roast tree & drove to Fillmore.

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus February 13/946 Hopper Canyon, Calif. At 5:30 saw at least 16 at Big Cave, perched, as most of the group probably returned there. Big Cave Falls was not running over the edge - water low. Cadera Falls had clear water - running slowly. All water quite low for this time of year. Did Peyton says that Dr Evermann (sp?) saw carders "mating" in Pico Sespe Canyon (some years ago). He said they "acted like a turkey". Did has some fragments of large clam shells - like Pierno clams - which were taken from Sespe carder nests. He said Dave Strathern - the man who told Did he saw 45 carders on Torrey a few weeks ago - told him he had seen carders on the channel islands. Did also said that his brother in law-who told him he had seen 2 (or+) carders on S. side of San Cayetano near Linda Creek today (from the valley). February 15/946 Ojai, Calif. At Ojai Ranger Station talked with Ranger Lyda & Phil Cook. Both were very friendly & cooperative. Lyda remembered me from former meetings. He said he saw 11 carders over Bald Mtns. (near Dale King Ranch) about a year ago, apparently at a carcass. He had heard from a friend that several years ago a freshyolo calf had been hung under a tree at Hermans Dele & left - when the men returned, the calf had

No text detected

Ford 2889 Gymnogyps californianus February 15, 1946 Santa Barbara Ojai, Calif. been eaten, supposedly by condors. Phil Cook said he had seen condors at some red cliffs about halfway between S. Fork Guard Station & the school house in Desguise Canyon & thought they may nest there. He had also seen them on Mission Pine & had watched them stretch in the morning. His impression was that they were very dopey in the morning as they seemed undisturbed even when a man rode below them. Cook said also he had seen them on every occasion of visiting Topatopa Lookout. Nordhoff Ph. reported them frequently too, he said. Re use of the Hopper Basin area by cattle - the Arundells have released their rights there so that Gene Percy gets them. The oil company has apparently died - it was Continental Exploration Co., Room 1010- 608 S. Hill St., Los Angeles. Van Winkele how was last man they F.S. dealt with. Gene Percy had told me the road in Hopper Basin was done in 35 days with a bulldozer and main- tainer - in the spring. Lyda & Cook offered any help they could give & were both very inter- ested in my work & asked many questions. The forest will be closed after late June this year, they believed. Former closure at Hopper Can Bas Rim amounted only to posting a sign

(illegible) Mrs. Rudge snuck - heart center - left foot. carton - at Camp. - costume. dont. - Cleveland for. Aug / - (1/2, 3rd trip) June 1, 1945 - 13, head cold in dark - tumbler N of Choctaw - down me m. R. Blvd., East. at 80: Can not find often in Luck - east. 7 mi. North of town after M. Dr. is now found by court. It, Road for 3 sec. Nears 1/4 mile at 25 May '45. Ride the fence south across it toward an old driveway: South elbow - car? close bd. Rail station - at Dr. K in lawn. - Franklin. Camp. - surrounded add. - egg from ed me - motorcycle - 50-50 go and go Raven meat - me m. American cabin! went I needed it & Dancer! stuffed turkey. 1846 - Regs - adapted special. Framo - 1926 one.

Gymnogyps californianus February 15, 1946 Santa Barbara, Calif. on the gate at Pete Logan's. Lyka said the pam- phlet on condors put out by CS Colvin has stim- ulated the interest of lookouts greatly, & that they still had some of the reporting forms form- only used. At Santa Barbara talked to Al Nolen and Supervisor Nash-Baulden. N.-B. said that last year there was a young condor near Big Rive L.O. The look- out, Mrs. Boyce, saw the adult feed the youngster near the lookout house. N.B saw the bird at the lookout & said he took some pictures of it tho not good. They figured the nest was between the lookout & the crest of the road. A mule was killed in the vicinity for the purpose of getting condor pictures. N-B said the condors & hawks cleaned it - even the shoes were gone, tho he did not see the condors eat it or get any picture. This mule was laidant in late fall. N-B said that Carter had sent him a report of condors being seen in Stone Canyon near the coal mine (near Don Miguel). He also said there were occasional reports from hunting on the Cleveland NF. All the lookouts have not been manned the last few war years, N-B said. He said he had only seen 1 or 2 birds on 3 (?) trips to the disjune Sanctuary. Charlie Tant, Ivan Hunter, now stays at Los Cruces or with Doc Webberist Webber's ranch. Nash Baulden pool poohed the idea that too many people were getting into Nopper Canyon

No text detected

Gymnogyps californicus February 15, 1946 Santa Barbara, Calif. and thought the summer closure was effective. He remembered me & called me Carl but wanted to do all the talking and did not offer anything concrete in the way of help. Nolder too was quite friendly & remembered me. Went to S.B. Nat. Hist. Museum and talked with EZ Rett, Waldo - , & Coggeshall. The museum got one carder specimen which was found 23 May 1945 7 miles NW of McKittrick, Kern Co., by Dan McMillan's brother in law. The bird was by a watering trough. Apparently it had been dead 2 or 3 weeks. The SB Museum has the skeleton (complete) & all feathers. The left titlia & filula have holes in them as if some disease had eaten away the bones - hole up to 1/2 +/-" at joint. On June 1, 1945, Rett, Larry Stevens, & Dan (

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus February 16, 1976 Santa Barbara, Cal.f. with Dawson & [illegible]. They knew where the dawson nest was located (Rett thules in Cometti region. She is best bird info man, Rett said. Elsen is manager of a ranch next to Ske's. On the June 1 incident - after flushed, birds rose fast but not flapping. Two returned + one landed; Rett tried to sneak up on one & get to within 100 yds about 100 yds. before this one took off. From the of Chol- ame - Parkfield road, only 1 bird was visible (look - out ?) and the others were in the ditch where occasion- al wings were seen flapping. Many ravens + turkey vultures also at carcass - ravens returned. all birds departed 5. after ending. three birds together at carcass. Rett also told me that Larry Stevens had a condor egg he bought for $25 from an old collector who lives at Monte- rito. Stevens works at Parkard garage in Santa Bar- bara. This old collector (name ?) had taken other eegg too, 50+ years ago. Rett told me also that Ray Lotham, Larry Stevens brother in law who lives in Peachtree Canyon, had come to the museum wanting to know who was shooting the condors when the two were found dead in Peack- tree Canyon. One is mounted at the museum and the other at the Forest Service office in Santa Barbara (Josh Baublon would not give the museum the birds unless one mounted one was given to the F. S.).

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus February 15, 1946 Santa Barbara, Calif. Another museum bird was apparently from the Big Sur district; it was stuffed with rope & 5F papers of 1896 date - this bird remounted by Rett. Another was shot in 1926 by an old Mexican (in former note). There are 4 specimens (including the last year's pickup) at the museum. February 16, 1946 Santa Barbara, Calif. Talked with Larry Stevens, egg collector, at Bob's and garage (mechanic store). He said he had heard of no condors in lost few years except the 13 he saw with Rett & de Rocherie Canyon birds. The latter, he said, the old tinier in Rocherie Canyon told him had been there for years, roosted in the head of the canyon, & nested there. I rather think this a roosting overflow from Big Pine Mtn. area. Stevens says Ellen McMillan might know more about condors than Dan but that he was hard to talk to. These men are glad that squirrel poisoning will be cause the eagles & falcons to move out of that country - they would rather have the squirrels & eagles than neither. Stevens thinks there are as many or more of condors now than 20 years ago. He could not recall the name of the old tinier who sold him a condor egg for $25 - but

No text detected

2897 Gymnops californiana February 16, 1946 Santa Barbara, Calif. The old timer had taken 10 eggs he had the others, & once found two young in a nest. Drove to Paso Robles & thence to Shandon. about 10 miles E. from Paso Robles the cattle Country starts - low rolling hills & occasional fleet valleys. At Shandon got directions from Bob Marshall at Seal Merch. Store (a friend of C Z Rott's) as to location of Sam McMullan's place. Met William F Douglas, F & D trapper, at Shan- don. My aunt Caroline had taught at some school in Berkeley as his wife. Douglas seemed quite intelligent & a reliable observer. He said he saw 21 cardors at Montgomery Potrerros last Novem- ber (will send me exact date & time later), a few days ago he had heard of two being seen in the Shandon area. At present he was trapping the Carmathie & San Juan regions for cyotes. He had been stationed at Lompoc for 9 t months but had seen no cardors there - old timers had told him cardors used to come to Francamare (sp.?) mtns there but that none had been seen for years. Douglas had also trapped in the Juncal Dam area without seeing any cardors, but saw them soon after moving to the N. side of Big Pine ridge (S.B. Potrerros area). Went to

No text detected

Ford 2895 Gymnogyps californianus February 16, 1946 Shandon, Calif. Jan Mc Millan place in Gillis Canyon near Shandon + met McMillan & wife. McMillan said Truesdell had told him 3 eggs were taken from the Dawson nest - the last of those in 1920 by Stuart. One was at MCZ, one at Tacoma High School, one was in possession of a man named Moore in Tetso - as Mc M. remembered. Jan also said carors sometimes roosted in the rocks near McKittrick ( where deadies found last year). He was interested in taking Truesdell on a trip + finding the location of the cardor nest - McM. believed this spot was probably the farthest north breeding place now. He also believed carors had increased in the last 20 years. He had read many ornithological articles including Harris' one on carbor history + seemed very intelligent & accur- ate in his observations. Re eagles - he thought that where there were squirrels there were eagles, and that poisoning squirrels caused the eagles to leave the area. About the 13 seen, June 1945 - the birds took off upward. were flushed about 12:45. Buck Chester had ridden right up on them previously that day. This was on Chalone- Parkfield road just above county line - this area was the usual me for carors. That is Nial where Johnson saw 22 (see Cardor mag) last (?) yv.

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus February 16, 1946 Shandon, Calif. Jan said Buck reported having seen 17, 5 of which were imm. Also talked with Ellen McMillan who seemed very careful in his data. Both had seen a single caron on San Juan Ranch E. of Shandon several times last year. They said it departed toward McChosney mtn. without much altitude, so they fig-ured it was a nesting adult. Condors seemed never to be seen west of here (San Juan ridge), but only E. + In Oct. of 1945, Ellen said he saw 17 once & 19 once. One bird now at Fresno State College (from water tank) come from near here. Jan said he had seen carons roost this side of McKeltrick on the old Temblor Ranch. Re the Truesdell nests - Jan said there were 4 sites at Beartrap Rocks on Mc Chesney Mtn. He had seen golden eagle share a corda at times. One of the nests was in the open so that sunlight fell on the egg. One was a hole so small the bird had to squeeze to get wings in. Truesdell said they never seemed to use the same hole twice. One pair (De Troye nest) was in the San Cayos. Truesdell said that once every 4 or 5 years one pair seemed to go off & nest there. Of the Truesdell eggs, 3 were taken, 1 hatched, 1 saved,

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus February 16, 1946 Shandon, Calif. I broken & I lost - this lost; Tmesdell went for a camera & egg was gone upon his return. Tmesdell's second egg was rejected by Thayer as a phony - it was cream color while first was white. Glen used to ride the Mc Chesney mtn. area & see a pair roast in a pine tree (Beartop area). About 11 years ago El saw 18 or 20 roosting in some short oaks above Aumbles ranch house, at daylight (deer carcass near). Two were trapped there the same year - one died & was left; the other released & flew down canyon without gaining any altitude. El knows of 4 dead condors in the last 10 yrs. - each was discovered only because one of the few men who pay attention to such things was nearby. The one found near McKittrick had been seen many times by Dan's brother in law before he realized it was a condor. The men who know condors when they see them or pay attention, to them are far between. Buck Chester & Allie Lewis are good observers. Buck rides the Stone Canyon country & clear over to Coalinga so should be able to give any dope on the birds there. The McMillans think Stone Canyon just a feeding place, but Castle Mtn. is a possible roost. The McMillan

No text detected

Gymnogyps californicus February 16, 1946 Shandon, Calif. Have taken Tmesdell out collecting recently - they would like to take him to the cardon nest area + get the location of the nests. The best way to get into Beartrap is from a cabin in Martinez Canyon reached by road up Pilates Creek Canyon. Elv thinks cardons as numerous there as they ever were. About 12 is most he ever saw in that region. The bird found dead last year was at a spring between Salt + Toulka Creek about 10 miles NW of McKittrich. February 17, 1946 Nr. Shandon, Calif. Went on a trip with Ian & Glen McMillan to Cholame, Parkfield, Table Mtn., & back to Ian's place. Frosty in morning; fair wind later, and cirro stratus clouds. Visited the spot at Martinez Co. line on Cholome-Parkfield road where 13 seen last June 1. The carcass had been in a 4 +' dep ditch about 1/4 mile NNE E. of the nearer (N) foothills & within sight of Cholame Ranch (barn). The 22 that Wal Johnson reported were on the opposite (E.) side of the road at about same location. Saw 2 or 3 carcasses in the general area during the day but no cardons. The carcass had been on a flat, close cropped, treeless + brushless plain which was apparently the place where car don were most often seen in this area. Proceeded

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus February 17, 1946 Mr. Shandon, Calif. to Bach Chester place. Buck could recall having seen none north of the aforementioned flats. When questioned about Stone Canyon area, Buck recalled seeing [illegible] some 17 or 18 years ago near Charley (sp.?) canyon before knew them well. Don McMillan & wife saw 16 at a water trough above Turkey Flat near Kings-Fresno-Monterey Co. corner. Later we visited this spot - it was fairly smooth and grassy of 15+ % slope to W. + not near any tree. Some were perched on the trough, Don said. He had seen 3 the day before in some general area. This instance occurred on Aug. ust 3, 1945. Don McMillan never saw a carder till he was 22, he said, so he believed they had increased in last 20 years. His wife's father was supposed to have shot one near Cayucos about 60 years ago. Bob Brown (of Downers - now in Panama - had taken an egg in the desquise, Ian said & had watched cardors much. Bob had seen cardors bathe in a rock tub at Boartrip Rocks too, M.M. said. I am believed cardors rooted on the Caselinga side of Castle Mtn. in the fall. Turesdell or thought to have thought that cardors may roost in the Pinaceas area near Castle Mtn. We then visited Henry Ludecke, old time rancher, who lived near Parfield

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus February 17, 1946 Mr. Shandon, Calif. within sight of Mustang Peak & who formerly lived near Shandon. He seemed reliable but did not spend much time looking at birds. He said he saw 5 about 10 years ago going W. near his place - as if toward "the coal mine" (Stone Canyon) or the Peninsulas. McCarthy had it that one was trapped near Mustang Pk. 30 or 40 years ago, Henry said. No known cardors by the "ole box canyons" and the white under the wings, he said. Visited Allie Lewis, another old timer who rides the Table Mtn. - Castlevntu area. He said he had seen cardors often - but they usually came in spring & left in the fall. One had stayed till a couple of months ago, he said. They were usually around watering troughs - perhaps catching frogs, he thought. He offered to try to trap one with a steel traps set around water troughs - if we wanted it. Allie said the cardors had appeared "5 or 6 years ago"; He said the Pimara area was rough & bluffy - it could be seen from the Coolinjo side and was best approached from near Avenal Ranch. Allie told us of old timer Walt Merrill (about 80) who lives near Avenal Ranch. Walt had old Allie of seeing cardors when he was a boy but then not till 5 or 6 years ago.

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus February 17, 1946 Nr. Shandon, Calif. Additional re 'Kelly' Truesdell eggs - one could not be reached by rope so was left to hatch, one was hatched when went to collect, one was broken when old bird left nest + kicked it out (flushed). Dan emphasized that cardors were not seen west of Red Hills - the reports last year spread from between Chalone & Parkfield down Buttewater Valley area to near McKittrick. He knew of none being seen near Averal - Kettleman Hills area. Dan thought air currents or flight routes may explain why cardors were not seen W. of Red Hills. One was in June 1945 seen several times in July & August 1945 near Elena's place (about 10 mi. S. of Kings-Kern-510 Co. junction) lay both El. + [illegible]. The bird they believe nested near McCheaney mtn. [Elan thought one egg was collected by someone other than Truesdell in the McCheaney region. -> was seen several times in July & August near Paso Ortega. Dan told me that Bert De Tracy (sp?) who lives near Bu Roche used to collect for H.R Taylor. He collected one egg in the San Carpojo in 1900. Truesdell thinks there are cardors there only, where one pair nests there, Dan said. Truesdell said that it paid the collector to drop everything else & concentrate on cardor eggs, according to Dan. Truesdale would never join the Cooper Club because of a tiff 2901 (Brown?)

No text detected

Gymnogyps californicus February 19, 1946 Mr. Shandon Cliff. with Lee Chambers. Chambers acted somewhat in the capacity of an "egg lifter". He rejected one egg of Tures- dale's because it was cream colored. Twesdale then sent it to Thayer who sent it to Chambers for verification & Chambers again pronounced it bogus. The trip to the condor nest made by Dawson was at Twesdale's invitation in order to prove the validity of the egg supposedly some shell fragments were found which proved it. Carl Turscelman, Dan's brother in law, has a picture of condors roosting in rocks near McKerich, might have another picture show- ing 17 condors. These were taken in last 4 yrs. Near Paso Ortega is where Dan built a blind & tried to photograph a feeding condor. The blind was covered with an old hide & set up near a carcass. Not even Ravens came . Claude Brown took an egg in Beartrap Country. He was a good observer & quite a Shandon character ( dug a cave in a cliff near Shandon & dived in there, for instance ). Now about 60, Brown is a "beachcomber" in Panama. Dan said he will have Dan Mc Millan write Claude & ask for a report of his experiences with condors. McMillan's father came in Shandon country in 1884 & settled in Mc Millan canyon. He hunted a lot in surrounding country but according to Dan saw no condors. So Dan thinks condors were plentiful now than since far since 1900 or earlier.

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus February 18, 1976 Nr Shandon, Calif. Both Mc Millans (San + Ellen) went on trips with Tumer- dale when boys, including to the canor nesting area. Tmerdale carried a .22 revolver to shoot & flush the nesting birds. He said the condors were often hard to flush - several shots might be fired and the adult would only put "her" head out and look around. Bram had camped near the Beartop canor country too. Dan's father often referred to a man named Wiley in speaking of natural history matters. Tmerdale might know more of him. Dan says Tmerdale says one egg he took was at Tacoma High School - was from the Chester Bowra collection. From 1905 to 1920 eggs were collected at Beartop - possibly 10 total nestings but not over one per year, Dan said. Stuart got the last egg in 1920 - he may still be in Philadelphia. As to food - Dan says that most carcasses from stock in the can- dor range are probably from the big holdings such as Chalave Ranch, Tusselman's, Tajon Ranch, etc. for they use lots of submarginal land & rely on low operating cost to make money - labor & upkeep are at a minimum; sick animals are not coddled back to health. In the old days the poorer land was not used & there was no such thing as supplemental feeding, & when drought came the cattle had to be moved out or die.

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus February 10, 1946 Mr Shandon, C&H? In 1877 there was a big drought close to the coast which killed many cattle. Ranches were restocked by the increase in the residue in those days, so there would be great condor food reduction for some time. Instances like this might account for the condors on Columbia River (Lewis & Clarke). Met Hour- and Jversen on the road. Jversen Ranch is in Holland Canyon (E. of San Juan River). He seemed quite interested in condors & said he knew them "by the white" and by the fact that he knew buzzards and eagles. Jveran said he saw 1 about 3 weeks ago on a carcass which had been and eaten out; this was about 11 a.m. he thought. Again he saw 15 + at an earlier date. Both these occurrences were near the head of Holland Canyon. He also said he had seen them often at Ad Grant's place. Grant furnished lots of condor food, Son said. Grant has both sheep & cattle & lets carcasses lie. He is also a condor enemy - thinks they kill stock. Met the Shandon High School agriculture tech- (Duncan?) er who is quite interested in birds but has never seen a condor. Requested him to let Don know if any condors were reported & record date & number too - this same request made of all the people I met with Son. The area from north Corry Plains up to Castle Mtn. will be well cover-

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus February 18, 1946 Mr. Shandon, Calif. ed by dry interested men - relatives & friends of Jan - and Jan will let me know when cads appear again in the vicinity. About Armelle - Ernest Still found one in a water trough near there where he used to live; this specimen is supposed to be at Fresno now (taken years ago). Jan's nephew - newt Hopper - said he saw 1 once flying near Armelle about 1936, & once saw 1 or 2 east of Everens ranch house when deer hunting there. Everen's father has the squirrel poisoning job near Shandon - they have started at Everene's & will start at Jan's place in a few days - Jan thinks using "1080". From atop the Red Hills Jan pointed out the areas there were where 1 half a dozen cads occurred last year + Armelle & O might be a good place to cad watch from. -> These were included from Twisselman Ranch to the Castle Mtn. Jan said he never saw cads on the San Juan side or W. of San Juan River. Eben said he never saw cads W. of about 25 miles E. of Poso Rables (near Cholame). February 25, 1946 Bakersfield, Calif. Visited Buford Fox, Asst. Agricultural Commissioner, & gave him some cads photos. He was very friendly. He said the squirrel poisoning had not started yet and that they were having trouble getting grain - trying to get

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus February 25, 1946 Bakersfield, Calif. Barley now; oats being unavailable. He had seen or heard of no condors since my visit of about 2d Feb. 2. He reiterated his belief that condors feeding around Bakersfield (on E. side) roosted near Baker Grade near Bena. The Baker Grade road goes up Walker Creek & one can travel it to Walker Basin. February 26, 1946 Los Angeles, Calif. At Cooper Club meeting in L. A. talked with *? (well known to Pemberter & Did Peyton) who said he knew two condors had been seen in the Santa Monica Mtns. last fall near the Los Angeles Co. line, & he thought he knew where they might nest. He offered to go to the place with me this spring. Another well known member said he had taken a trip up the to Little Deese road this year and had seen some condors high overhead. A woman said she had seen one close to the road near Sulpher Mtn. (mr. Ojai) this year. Quite a number of the members remembered me well tho they had not seen me for nearly 5 years. *Did Peyton thinks this was Did Ploford (sp.?) from my description of him.

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus March 2, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Calif. Drove to Hopper Rim and was secured in Pyramid L0at 4:30 p.m. Sky 2/0 alto- cumulus, 67ºF., fair westerly breeze. Saw no condors or way up Pole Canyon tho I stopped several times and surveyed the bluffs and skyline. Met Pete Logan for the first time since my return. He said coy tes were very thick & had killed his goats - 40 all told. He once saw a group of 3 and Alan Arundell, to Pete said, told him of seeing 7. I discovered no roosting or other condor activity except at Big Cave area and one bird in a pothole on East Cliffs (200± above Hopper Creek). This latter seemed to be an advanced immature and was still as before at 5:15 p.m. Maximum condor count was 12. Between 4:30 and 5 there were up to 5 condors at once atop Big Cave tho I could see no water there. 3+ of these were on mudholes 100± back from the cliff brink - water there? Saw one adult "chase" another, both swooping low in front of Big Cave, then rising sharply, flapping. One alighted atop cliff & the other continued soaring. 2+ saw one adult land in a small pothole already containing an

No text detected

Ford 2408 Gymnogyps californianus March 2, 1976 February 3 Hopper Canyon, Calt. adult, & one quickly left. At 5:25 counted 12 at Big Cave alone & 13th on East Cliffs as before. Of the 12, 2 at pool area atop Big Cave & 2 others (it appeared like a youngster with wings flopping, "begging" to be fed) were atop cliff over the cave. Before 5 p.m. 2+ on ledge or in pothole seemed perched flat as if settled for the night but standing later. At 5:30 at least 3 in potholes near Big Cave; only 1 visible atop cliff. One perched flat on Whitewash Ledge. As the number of vultures in Hopper Basin fluctuates so, even in winter, the area may not be absolutely essential to vulture survival. 5:35, one shifted from cliff top to Whitewash Ledge - the ledge appeared thus: Three atop Roost Tree, well separated, thus: of o 5:45, the birds still appeared as diagrammed except the flattened one now gone from the ledge. None visible on cliff tops - I can't recall ever having seen any atop cliffs late in the evening; apparently cliff tops are undesirable roosts. "Sunning" post-me is apparently infrequent before going to roost in late afternoon and evening.

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus March 2, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Calif. 5:53, two flapped 6t across Big Cave & alighted in separate potholes on the N+ [illegible] cliff. The lowest visible perched (On cliff below Whitewash Ledge) also flew across to a pothole near there two. 5:55- sunset 10t min. ago. I saw me flapping can- dor alight on Whitewash Ledge. Apparently I arrived at the Rim after "roosting time" today as I have seen no condors above the horizon. 6:01- whitewash ledge appear- ed: X ? 6:03, still 3 atop Roost Tree, about as last diagrammed, the (last bird to alight on Whitewash Ledge) flapped (inked X) off. Lowest bird on Whitewash Ledge perched flat as if set for the night. Those on Roost Tree as before. Air very still now & cool (56°F.). 6:10, ceased observation because of darkness. March 3, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Calif. at 7:15 a.m. left camp at Old Cabin and proceeded down Spring Canyon to visit Greta's nest cave. Sky clear, temp. 70°F., gusts of strong W. breeze. The old trail was virtually gone beyond Spring Canyon Meadow but I found enough of it to make

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus March 3, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Cal. progress. At about 7:30 I saw what appeared to be 2 condors roosting in separate green boulders on N. slope near Arundell Saddle. The lower one, 100+ yds. downhill from the saddle, was about 20' from tree top on the bare part of a heavy horizontal branch. About 8:05 I saw this lower one ruffle up its wings - the bird was then in sunshine - and at 8:15 it took off, glided toward East Canyon with 1 or 3 wing dips, circled 5+ times, rising steeply sometimes and then losing altitude sharply + with a wing dip. A second condor circled below it after a few minutes, & both glided toward Big Cave. The upper roosting condor - 50+ yds. up the slope of Arundell Ridge from the first - I did not verify later. By 8:15 a steady strong westerly breeze - the condors soared + gained altitude with apparent ease. Rising over an E. slope with W. wind seems to indicate use of rising air currents. These two I suppose went to Big Cave to drink or join the gang. I was over 1000 yds. from the bird when it flew so probably didn't disturb it. At 9:30 I was below Arundell Cliffs, halfway up its western slope between creek + cliffs.

No text detected

Ford 29/11 Gymnogyps californianus March 3, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Giff. at least 7 cardors then at Whitewash Ledge, at least 2 sunning brokes. About 9: 40 saw at least 5 on a flatish place below the ledge. An adult + youngster stood side by side at edge of a shadow, apparently pecking at the rock or plants. Also Those two wrestled with heads & necks a bit, then youngster slid sidewise 10' down the rock, wings flapping but did not take off. + to 1 to 3 of the other birds (of the 5) were also inum. Three birds (adult + 2 min.) were still on this flat at 10: 15 - the only cardors visible in the Big Cave area then. About 9: 30 I saw- 2 adults soar together down Cedar Canyon. One chased the other, crash dove, then rose flapping. At 9: 53 at least 4 were in air over Big Cave - "rising time" about 10 a.m. I judged. About 9: 45 I saw- 1 adult displaying at another for 3+ minutes atop Big Cave. Wings of displayer were held [illegible] & head down near feet. The displayer paced back & forth for a few feet about 1 to 5' from displayer, some- times apparently almost touching the latter. Displayer showed no reaction - just stood

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus March 3, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Calif. as near as I could see. about One of the pair took off & the other remained (about 9:45). About 10 a.m. two adults alighted atop N.Arundell Cliffs about 400' E. of Cove Point. Both had ruffs down showing magenta spot at base of neck ventrally & light grey above this, then range of head. One displayed to the other, head upside down and wings as before diagrammed. Displayer took very long steps it seemed in pacing back & forth. He (?) stopped & recommenced a few times. His (?) cheeks were puffed & crop bulged, showing magenta patch. She (?) had no bulge but same head coloring. Maximum reaction was that displayee nibbled head of displayer - I had 20x telescope on them birds about 1/4 mile away in sunshine. about 10:03 both stood quiet - I made some matter in putting on a sweater. Both adults soared directly across canyon & 70±' above me. I was 500±' W. of Bretta's nest at this time. after a few turns, the displayer alighted atop a Pseudoturga 75± yds. W. of Bretta's nest & displayer - crop still bulging & a ragged patch in left secondaries - circled over me for 3 ± minutes - sometimes 1/4 mile away.

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus March 3, 1946. Hopper Canyon, Cal; At about 10:08 the two adults soared toward East Canyon together. During display, display feathers seemed to have long cheeks. Both seem ed to have unwrinkled necks. After the display ruffs went up to hoods - cool stray breeze still. About ¼ mile W. of Greta's cave at 9:30 I found an old vorder hum erus (my no. 203), well weathered, with surface broken away at several spots near the tips. In flight, tail of adult showed considerable gambler, only center feathers maximum flaps pointed 75° being flush with back. At 10:35, 2 imm. & 1 adult still on the flat ledge near foot of Whitewash Ledge - all quite inactive. The immatures just perched, looked to sun, 10±' apart, perhaps occasionally preening. No other vorders visible. They 2½ resembled clouds moving 5±; breeze up the canyon (E±) at base of Arundell Cliffs: I went to top of Arundell Cliffs & then down to Greta's nest- #2 nest cave. At 11:05, before reaching the cave, I saw an adult soaring 500±' overhead. In the cave I found an egg. The egg was pale blue, slightly more pointed at one end than the other, & more elongated than the one I photograph ed near Whitacre Pl., in 1941. There was some dark

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus March 3, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Calif. excrement on the egg. It lay about 4' inside the cave in good light (from NW) and was about 8" from the rear wall and 8" from SW wall. There was no depression in the floor litter - in fact, I collected 3+ bones within 3+ "of the egg, some touching it. The egg lay NE-SW, the NE end being longer & axis of cave being NW. I lifted the egg & felt it - it felt solid & heavy, but I could not candle it by daylight. I gathered about 15 bones & bone frag- ments hurriedly & left. At 11:25 I was going down the slope & flushed an adult from top of a green Pseudoturga about 150 yds. NW of the nest cave. The taking off flaps gave a loud "woosh woosh" sound - earlier in the day I could hear no sound from flap gliding flaps of close adult. This adult had no missing large feathers & crop did not ludge. The rock trough at entrance to nest cave & two points at cave mouth had conspicuous fresh whitewash. I walked downstream and at 11:48 again saw an adult circling over the nest cave area (call it #11 nest, or Beta II). This nest cave is poor for any but closeup photography as sun does not shine & in and one can see the egg from no point nearer than

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus March 3, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Calif. about ¼ mile. Found a boltnail track in the canyon bottom where I had never been - one of Walt's friends or a C & G S man? 12:38, from junction of Carda Creek with main Hopper Creek, saw one 1500 t' overhead going toward Big Cave area and at 12:40 12:5 an adult 1000 t' overhead heading for East Canyon. Breeze still strong & soaring conditions apparently very good. Found two fresh primar- is below Arundell Cliffs & one near #9 nest cave near Carda Falls. Checked in this cave again as at 1:30 I saw an adult fly down the canyon there - apparently there had been no recent carda visitations. Bone fragments in #2 nest indicates that it has been used at least once since my last visit (1941 probably) - but the whitewash & smell did not seem to indicate use last year. There were two adult feathers but no down in the cave. I was searching from near Carda Falls when at 2:05 I saw an adult spiral-ing go down, feet down, over East Cliffs. It landed - apparently in the brush - at about 2:06. I watched, & one left that spot at 2:17 and landed in a cave in a talusf on the ridge at 5. side of mouth of East Canyon and about 5/8 of the way up from creek to top

No text detected

29/6 Gymnogyps californianos March 3, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Glitter Knoll - 500+ above creek bed. The same app. seared to face W. and had a large (6'tall) mouth, 5' high was apparently quite shallow. The adult was still in this cave - a small part of bird visible - at 2:32. Sky 4/10 cumulus, fair breeze, at 2:30. Retrogressing - at about 1:40 I saw 4, all adults apparently circling flapping often next over SE corner of North Slope. One seemed to be chasing another while rising & flapping. Flaps were about 6/2½ seconds - 7 maximum number of consecutive flaps seen. Once the chased bird flapped faster than the normal tempo for 6+ flaps - as if to elude pursuer. I went higher on North Slope to view White- wash Ledge & #11 nest. Counted 16 condors total - 7 in air - at Big Cave area at 2:50. The 7 next circled over foot of East Canyon and grew to 10, then over Brundell Ridge & grew to 13. 11 were on cliff - so at least 24 condors, & at least 5 of these immature. One imm. had orange head but sooty or if still covered with black small feathers. The cave where lone adult was perched proved to be well whitened at mouth and apparently a pathole roost. I have seen condors roosting here on previous occasions. The lunch episode

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus March 3, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Calif. I dont understand - perhaps a drink at a small observatory from w. side later showed a rock point in that vicinity. pool or trickles. No ravens or turkey vultures there so food doubtful. At 3:10, 13 perched at Big Cave area, all separate & guisant. Wind cold & about 20 mph from NW - sky 6/10 cumulus moving SE - I think the canyon well soon be fogged in. Went to Cave Point arriving at 3:35. At 3:35 saw 19 ravens at Big Cave area, 8 being immatures. One adult displayed at another standing very close & even put its foot on the head of the displayer. At 3:40 it commenced to snow lightly. I proceeded to North Point where at 4:10 I saw 7 ravens in air near Big Cave - 3 about 1,000' above it partially obscured by cloud bases. I reached road at North Creek at 5 pm & contin- ued on to Old Cabin on road. Saw car tracks & footprints of a man & boy near head of Hopper Basin. Strong cold wind continued on into the night. March 4, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Calif. Freezing during night. Wind died about 7:00 a.m. Sky clear. At 8 a.m. I was at Old Cabin. Saw at least 10 ravens at Big Cave. One was atop cliff, sunning back, wings outspread. One in shaded pothole to W. of Cave. Others in sun on Whitewash Ledge. At 8:15 I left

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus whiteacre pk., Calif. March 4, 1946 the road and hiked to Whiteacre Peak. At 9:45 I was atop a cliff about ¼ mile W. of the old nest cave on the Agua Blanca side of the peak. I saw no carcars nor anything in the egg compart ment of the nest cave. Two ducke hawks were hunting in the vicinity. By 10. m. there was a fair westly breeze. Up to 4 turkey vultures constantly in sight in air. By 11:30 saw no cardors so proceeded back up to Whiteacre Pk. At 12:00 saw one circling at 3000' altitude over E. side of the peak - it glided S. Continued on to road, reaching it at 1:10. Warm & calm at 2 p.m. I drove to Pole Canyon Parking Place. Saw no cardors by 3:10 p.m. - air was very calm, & this fact may have delayed the return of the birds. Drove down Pole Canyon to Fillmore seeing no cardors on the way. March 8/1946 Hopper Ranch, Calif. Arranged to get a 20 year old horse named "Star" from Gene Percy for use as carbor bait. Percy reiterated his experience of once seeing several cardors feeding on an old horse hide; when flushed the birds flew off but returned quickly. This was in cold weather & the cardors acted very hungry on this occasion. Sid Peyton

No text detected

Ford 29/19 Gymnogyps californianus March 8, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Calif. told me he thought that Frank Arnold took his first egg from the bluffs in Pole Canyon. Drove from Fillmore to Hopper Rim (head of Hopper Ranch trail) arriving at 5:30 p.m. Then hiked down to Percy Ranch. Saw no condors. Fair w/east wind at 3:30 & fairly warm. March 9, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Calif. Obtained a large sonol horse of 20 years age at Hopper Ranch from Gene Percy. Led horse to Hopper Rim & on out to Old Calvin (arriving 11:00). At 10:15 saw only 1 possible condor at White wood Ridge. Fair east wind, warm & very dry. Wind died about 11:30. Met Telford Wible at Old Calvin. He proceeded out to vicinity of #1 nest to set up a cave blind & I led the horse out the road. We shot the horse about 8 times with a 22 pistol & laid the body out about 40 ft. from the blind. The body lay on open rocks with belly toward blind. Blind was about 1/4 mile NW of #1 nest save facing about S. We entered blind at 1:20. The horse bled a couple of gallons through the mouth, the blood running down the

No text detected

Ford 2920 Gymnogyps californianus March 9, 1976 Hopper Canyon, Cal. rocks. Very clear today. Had seen no cardors in air up to time entered blind - seems extraordinary for this time of year here. Perhaps [illegible] said Reyton told me that this is the driest year he has ever known in Fillmore area. If cardor presence in Hopper Basin de- pends somewhat on water supply, the effect should be noticeable this year. No cardors or other birds visited the canyons by 3:30. We went back to the road, drove to the head of the troctor trail to Carda Creek, & diked down the trail to about 1/4 mile NW of - Big Cave. At 4:10 saw at least 6 cardors here (2 adults). By 4:30 saw at least 17 total, at least 5 of these being immatures, and possibly 17 (7 imm.). One was perched atop Baost Tree. Two were in potholes. One to 3 on Whitewash Ledge. There was a close group atop cliff over Whitewash Ledge - 8 or 9 cardors within about a 10 ft diameter. This group started with about 3 adults & 2 youngsters, & meaning birds joined it. One adult was seen to peck at a youngster [illegible]. The farthest away flying birds were seen over foot of East Canyon, circling

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus March 9, 1946 Hopper Canyon, C.T. and rising. About 7 cardors were seen in vicinity of the pool atop Big Cave (dry?). We left & hiked up the trail at 7:45. At that time there were about 7 cardors in air milling above Big Cave. Later there were 9. Only about 3 at 5 p.m. These birds were probably disturbed by our presence the none of them soared close over us. The last arriving birds got to Big Cave about 4:30 p.m. -- a rather late arrival time & be- lieve possibly due to distant travel today or to light breezes in the afternoon. Sky clear but heavy haze to about 7500 ft. level. We went to Old Cabin to camp. Work told me that Dan Bleitz brought a man from Colliers magazine & a female model up to the Wolk cardor nest on the day the chick was found dead. Supposedly this was for the purpose of getting pictures & an article for Colliers. Work also said his group found 2 adults hanging around Arundell Cliffs quite consistently last year. He also said the road through the head of Hopper Canyon had been gone over, & repaired since his last visit here (Oct. '45). He said he had spent 5 days in the cave blinds trying to get pictures

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus March 9, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Calif. of vordors but without results. On one occasion they saw 22 sure (Wool counted 24) vordors in air perched on trees at head of Hopper Canyon when they returned to a carcass they had put there. Between 11 and 2 p.m. he thought the most likely time for vordors to show up at the bait. One of the immature seen had as pinkish neck but sooty head- from top head appeared like imm. but from below like adult. Some of the adults which alighted atop chip cliff dropped straight down vertically, flapping with wing tips. March 10, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Calif. Still night. Cirrus clouds in morning. 57° F. at 9 a.m. At 9:15 a.m. we were at head of the canyon & saw 2 vordors gliding northward at about 500 ft. altitude. They passed about 200 yds. W. of horse carcass it appeared & continued on toward Whiteacre Pkts without circling. At 9:20 we were in blind at horse carcass. The carcass showed no evidence of molestation by carnivores. At 10:20 I heard one rover croaking close at hand - apparently circling over the carcass but out of our sight. Occasionally thereafter heard a rover croak or saw a shadow pass

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus March 10, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Calif. the blind front. The 10' x 4' cave entrance was covered by piece of white ply composition board & cloth. The cloth flapped much & had 2 holes for Wale's cameras. At about 2 p.m. two ravens alighted 15 ±' from the car- cass, nibbled at dried blood, & carried off pieces of it. About 2:05 they started on the carcass & pulled hair from legs, side, belly, & head. Later we worked about 15 minutes at the exposed eye & reduced it to a socket with white tissue protruding. One or 2 ravens were on carcass almost con- stantly until 2:45 but apparently made no holes in the skin. Sky clear & fair breeze. By 4 p.m. no more action at the carcass. We left blind. The ravens had made no holes in side of the horse. The whole area now swoll and smelled strongly from 50 yards away. At 4:10 saw 2 cordon circling over Nath Point. At about 4:20 they headed toward Strundell Ridge. We drove back to Old Cabin and Wale left for Los Angeles. At 4:45 from Old Cabin I counted 10 cordon (4 in air) at Big Cave (1 atop Rabbit Tree, others on Whitewash Ledge). Sky 9/10 cirro stratus; haze to 4000 ft. level; fair W. wind. At 4:50 saw 12 cordon at Big Cave (8 on Whitewash

No text detected

Ford 2924 Gymnogyps californianus March 10, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Cal't. Ledge, 2 atop Roost Tree, 1 in pothole just W. of Big Cave, 1 soaring about roost points. Went to Spring Canyon Meadow & searched Arundell Ridge but saw no condors there. At 5:10 saw 5 in air over Condra Cliff & Big Cove area and at 5:35 2 in air there. Air clean & still. Returned to Old Cabin to camp. March 11, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Cal't. Frost in morning & fair W breeze. At 7 a.m. there was fog at about 4000 ft. level up the canyon to East Canyon & up Dosse Canyon to Sulphur Pk. Before 9 a.m. I was settled in the blind by horse carcass as of yesterday. Air calm much of the time. Fog melting some- what. A red tailed hawk flopped a great deal in flying as if air was unsoarable. At about 8 a.m. I saw one raven flying near the carcass. The horse was dripping juice now at several points and was considerably bloated but hide still unbroken. There was a continuous hiss- ing or gurgling from the carcass as if gas were escaping. T. Wole yesterday gave me a condor reference: Bulletin No.-23. Feb. 10, 1926. By Walt- er Fry, In charge Nature Guide Service, Sequoia National Park. This consisted of 2 mimeographed pages including several sight reads. At 9:30 two ravens alighted at the carcass, pecked at

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus March 13, 1946 Hopper Canyon Clift. eye & anus & pulled hair from the side and left about 9:45. Clo Fog had risen to about 3000 ft. level but left Hopper Basin uncovered. 52° F. in blind. I recall Dave Percy told me he had put out meat balls containing a strychnine capsule on his ranch last fall (?) and that he knew of at least one coyote killed by them. Here was a chance for crows to get secondary stry- chrine poisoning. 10:00 a.m. - Navpermtns cloud covered but most of canyon still cloud free. Left leeze. I saw 2 turkey vultures soar by about ¼ mile W. of carcass. 10:40 saw me turkey vulture pass about ¼ mile E. of carcass flap - gliding - much flapping as if air poor for soaring. Sky 5/10 cumulo-stratus with base at about 5000 ft. and fair visibility below. At 11:15 three ravens came & pecked at the dried blood on rocks - left 11:25. At 11:40 so three ravens again came & one pecked 3½ minutes at the eye - gone at 11:50. Breeze light still. 1:10, a raven alighted on carcass & pecked at eye & penis area. A turkey vulture swooped low overhead at 1:15 (raven squawked), turned back when about ½ mile to SE of carcass, & alighted atop cliff 50± yds. S. of carcass. Buzzard sunned its back, wings

No text detected

Gymnogyps californicus March 11, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Chft. outspread, for 3+ minutes. Raven remained on the carcass, clicking the bill, wiping sides of bill on horse leg, + pecking at juicy penis region. 1:28, buzzard suddenly flew off + raven flew to buzzard's perch atop bluff. 1:30, I saw a coyote standing about 100 yds. E. of the carcass. 1:33, I saw one buzzard about 20 ft. E. of carcass apparently pecking at something on the rocks. 1:35, coyote gone. 1:45, buzzard gone - had not touched carcass. 1:58, 2 buzzards atop cliff 100+ ' SW of carcass, another soared 15+ ' over carcass, + 2 ravens were within 10+ ' fs of carcass. 2:02, one buzz - ard running back 20+ ' W. of horse. 2:04- the two ravens flew off. Sky 5/10 cumulus, cloud bottoms at about 3000' level; light breeze. Inter-mittent sunshine on carcass. 2:08, buzzard closest to carcass flew off+, followed 30+ sec. later by the other perched buzzard. No apparent disturbance. 2:55, one raven at carcass; 2:59- gone. 3 p.m., two turkey vultures were perched atop bluff 100+ ' SW of carcass. 3:40, two ravens also perched near the vultures. At 3:45 the vultures left + the ravens soon after. Left blind at 7:10. Sky clear, air cool. Saw no raptors. Camped at head of canyon.

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus March 13, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Calif. Night calm. at 7:10 a.m. I looked at the horse carcass. Flushed an raven from it. Carcass still entire - apparently no coyote visitations. My main task today is to erect a good blind near top of Big Cave. Have procured an old auto tent from Sid Repton for this pur- pose. at 9 a.m. parked at head of tractor trail to Corder Creek. saw 1 raven feeding on horse carcass. Hiked dam road to N. end of cliffs leading to Big Cave & S. along top of cliffs. at 9:10 stopped to observe Arndell Ridge. I saw 2 condors perched on a dead P. at cliff top about 100 yds. E. of #11 nest site. One seemed to be making the mating display, walking up & down the branch for 6 ±' with wings half spread - possibly running however. Saw a 3rd condor flap glide E. near them and land in a dead P. 300 ± yds. further E. of the pair set on Arndell ridge. A few minutes later saw one circling over canyon near #11 nest; this one joined another & at 9:45 there were 5 circling over the brush near Corder Falls (rising time ? - I was too far away to cause disturbance & believe). Saw a group of 15 ± turkey vultures over North Slope. Sky clear, air warm, light SW breeze. at 9:58 the pair near #11 nest gone. Saw two

No text detected

ford 2928 Gymnogyps californianus March 13, 1976 Hopper Canyon, Cal? land in the same tree however, as about 2 min- tes after the other, & counted 3 sure (5 fairly sure) other condors perched in trees on N. side of Arundell Ridge. 10:02 - about 5 more alight- ed in trees on Arundell Ridge - 3 on Saddle Rd., & at one time 3 on Flat Rd. 10:04 counted 13, 6 being in air near Arundell Ridge. The oft observed pattern of shifting roost to Arundell Ridge from Big Cove area before going foraging is again apparent. Breeze faint. 10:10, counted 9 on Arundell Ridge, Flat Saddle Rd. & another dead Rd. having 2 each. Maximum number of flocks gliding flaps seen - 9. 10:15, an adult circled over lower North Slope, then glided toward Big Cove area. There is frequent shifting between perches - but at least 7 condors in trees on Arundell Ridge. None visible within 300 yds. of #1 nest. Air dead calm at times. Have seen at least 5 airplanes this morning - I went N. over the head of Hopper Can- yon & 2 N. over Reese Canyon. Saw flying planes & the noise of them may disturb the condors. 10:30, at least 5 (possibly 7) still perched on N. slope of Arundell Ridge - no shifts in last 10 min- tes. I proceeded to about 3/8 mile N. of Big Cove. At 10:50 I saw 4 circling over Coda Canyon at cliff top level. One was an immature.

"15, 11/13 occ. most of it" 11:30 - 13C 12:30 - 5 o'clock pasta? my p.o.t + 1 Jampy 75 ft. loose b/4 E x 3 3/4 deep 15 1/2 x 3 3/4 depth 15 1/2 x 3 3/4 b/4 2 x 2 1/2, 12" 1 x 2, 5 1/2 6 1/2 x 2 1/2 1 3/4 x 3 3/4 to keep out way, 06 may now be painted. paint dry enough for work - dry way, 001 approximating primary layout? - [illegible] - or I only like 1/2 in. 270 & pitching. as I am 15 long again?! stuck out about 15 long again!? way to enjoy it. then things go off my head. for

Gymnogyps californicus March 12, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Cal. An adult alighted atop the high rampart 300± yds. N. of Big Cave and 3½ minutes later crunched with wings cocked out to sides & took off. I counted 3 still perched on Arundell Ridge. I saw 2 circling and rising over E ridge between Pyramid 10 & Old Cabin. 10:58, at least one of these headed NW when 100± above Old Cabin area. 10:59, two adults circled & worked up North Slope, then glided toward Old Cabin. Very light S. breeze. The circling adults passed 150± yds. W. of where I sat in open without apparently noticing me. The close perched adult had ruff flat at base of neck & no crest ridge. 11:01, still circling near Old Cabin. Rising time about 10:50 or earlier today. 11:02, 3 additional over W. of Rim near Old Cabin, ¼ mile apart. 11:10 - one adult circled near me, rising slowly, and working N. up slope. I timed 3 circles at 11, 15, and 13 seconds (not consecutive). Nearly all circling was to left, occasionally one to right. At 11:30 I arrived atop Big Cave. No condors were perched there. I worked at setting up tent blind about 100 ft. S. of the cliff top falls brink - some place I had my 1941 blind - so that I could observe Whitewash Ledge and cliff top near falls. Top. Completed the job at 1:20 p.m. At 12:30 while I worked, 5

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus March 12, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Calif. adults circled overhead, some 60 + 'over, and at least one with feet down. At 1 p.m. a single adult circled overhead near sun (shadow attract- ed my attention). The pool atop Big Cove was dry. Nearest damp sand was 75' back from cliff edge - but no water there. Tracks were numerous up to 30' back from cliff edge, then few. I measured the length of stride x offset of several tracks with following results: 15 1/2 x 3 3/4, 14 1/2 x 2 3/4, 13 1/2 x 1, 12 x 2 1/4, 13 1/2 x 3 1/4, 15 1/2 x 3 (all inches). It is apparent that the canid is a rather straight walker, not a waddler. The toe of two foot often left a dragging mark up to next footprint - at least 12" and very straight. These toe dragging marks were found only in soft dry sand of course. There were patches of grass close to the many canid tracks but no evidence of grass being clipped. However there were numerous tufts of grass which had been pulled up by the roots, + a few small basily pub- escent plants which had also been pulled up. Pieces of down were common in the grass but no large feathers. There were man quite a few canid tracks around some small dry damp potholes in creek bed, 100' back from cliff edge, and 3 sets of tracks goin to - and I returning from - the next damp

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus March 12, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Calt. sand about 130' from cliff edge. Another 100+ ft. back was the first water - it was clear & open but there were no radar tracks apparent in the damp sand. Cliff edge was obscured by brush from this water. Apparently, then, the raptors must drive elsewhere than atop Big Cave now. I hiked about 1/4 mile N. on cliffs & sat to watch. 2:10, one turkey vulture circled near top of Big Cave. There was one apparent radar atop Flat Pt. on Brundell Ridge. Light S. breeze, clear sky, 75°. At 3:10 about 2:30 as I ascended a rise an adult soared 100+ over me from opposite direction. It went straight for 1/4+ mile, then began to circle & whirled back over me as if out of curiosity. The trailing edge of wings & tail was ragged. The #7 primary of one wing was short 6+"; the #5 of other wing missing. In flight, feet are held together with toes lock [illegible]. Toes apparently very close togeth- er. At 3:20 I reached my car which was parked in sight of the horse carcass and about 1500 yds. SE of carcass. I saw one adult condor perched atop the rock point about 100 yds. S. of the car- cass. The bird held its wings up briefly \\, and seemed once to do a "wing bow", and took off about 3:25 and headed S. down the canyon. Perhaps I disturbed the bird in getting in the car.

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus March 12, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Calit. at about 3:25 two condors circled over the W. Rim about a mile S W of carcass. At 3:35 two (same?) circled together about a mile S. of and 500t's above the carcass. 3:45 - the 2 now 5. 17 turkey vul- tures were over Rim west of carcass, apparently working southward. One condor circled below them - about between rim and carcass. 3:50, the group of 5 dispersed, but 3 scattered 500t' over or 1/4 mile S. of the carcass. 3:55, 2 of the 3 headed toward Condor Cliff area. 3:59, the third too headed SE at higher altitude. None came closer to carcass than about 300 ft. above it. 4:05, 3 condors were circling the divide at and rising together overhead of Hopper Canyon. One headed S. when altitude about 800 ft. 4 other two continued circling. About 8 turkey vultures milled in a separate group about a mile from the condors. An occasional vulture passed near the condors but there seemed no tendency to join them. 4:10 - no con- dors in sight. I walked a short way down tractor trail. Saw 2 in Roost Tree at 4:30 (same 4:45-1 on tip top, one flattened on top branch) and at least 2 on Arundell Ridge (1 on saddle Pt., 1 atop green tree near Flat Pt.). Returned to camp. Visited the horse carcass. Found no evidence of con- dor turkey vultures, or coyotes having fed upon it.

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus March 19, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Cal? Drove up Pale Canyon & arrived at Pyr- amid Lookout on Hopper Rim at 2:45. Sky 56°F. clear, faint SW breeze, 66° F. There was light snow in a few protected spots on the road near Hopper Mtn., some on the ridge W. of Calico Stone Mtn., & much in the Tehachapi Mountains Mtn - Mt. Sierra area in the distance. Branches & leaves in the road evidenced that the same wind of last night reached the Hopper Mtn. level. I searched the usual perch points with telescope & found one condor sprawled flat in a pothole in sunshine above Big Crev. No birds were evident in the area of the carcass horse carcass (not visible from Pyramid lookout). 3 p.m., I saw one condor near White- acres Rk. apparently gliding toward the Agua Blanca. some 3:03, the bird over Big Cave standing in pothole, look to see (I conjecture that this bird probably an immature). This bird came at 3:15. Water vis- ible at Condor Falls, the first falls below Big Cave. The sand atop Big Cave appears wet from the storm of yesterday - perhaps there is now water there available to condors. 3:48 - two more condors above Big Cave (3 total) on Whitewash Ridge. 3:50, the pothole one & another off - soaring close to Condor Cliff, & 30 sec. later the bird

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus March 14, 1946 Hopper Canyon Ca ltf. also in air - all adults. 3:51, two adults circling near Big Cave, feet down, one about 100 yds. behind other. One alights on a sheltered point 200+ yds. W of Big Cave and 2/3 way to top. 3:56, the 2 off, one after the other. They soared together, follower the leader style until 4 p.m. when they alighted in on a point of the cliff S of Roast Tree. The trailing adult had feet down constantly. No flopping but an occasional wing "dip". The follower briefly chased a third adult, both birds flapping at times or diving together in front of Big Cave. At 4 p.m. three adults (besides the 2) circling over Big Cave, very low (shadows or xodes). At 4:05 I saw one circling over Parking Knoll. This bird rose to 800+ ft, then glided toward Big Cave area. 4:07 - three perched at in top of Roast Tree, on a whitewash ledge, & the one in air approaching (at least 5 total). 4:09 - two adults over Big Cave, one chasing the other, often banking steeply, both birds flap ping (6 total). 4:11 - one ship two were together on Whitewash Ledge; one (adult) took off & landed in pothole over Big Cave. 4:08,

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus March 14, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Calif. there were 2 in this 4+1'f long pothole - one left & other 30+ sec. later. The north pothole below whitewash Ridge now occupied by an adult. 4:16, two one a ledge above Big Cove - one apparently had difficulty with footing & flopped 13 times before dropping off the cliff. One alighted atop the cliff but was chased off by a flying adult 2+ minutes later (both adults). Adults chase adults + imm., but never have seen an immature chase an adult. Have not seen the roast tree NW of Big Meadow being used this year - perhaps they offer poor protection from the cold. 4:22, I saw 2 (at least 1 adult) some low over the rim NE of Pyramid Lookout. Breeze light from SW as before, 450 F. 4:27 an adult, few feet down, soared from foot of East Canyon to- ward N+ west area as if to land somewhere. 4:30 a lone immature circled close to brush + bluffs at S. side of mouth of East Canyon. 4:33 - a lone adult near head of SE canyon over the Rim; 2+ minutes later it met 2 other adults & soared with one of them, the other following 100' above. 8 visible at Big Cove area - 20 // total at 4:35. 4:37, 2 adults + 1 imm. (?) near brink of falls atop Big Cave. One adult made motions as if

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus March 14, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Calif. drinking. Three other carcass walked toward the pool area from cliff top N. of falls brink. 4:39, more visible on Roost Tree or Whitewash Ridge, but one in pothole near the ledge & at least 3 atop cliff over Big Cave near falls (big probably). 4:42, a lone adult descended, fast down, near Rock Ridge & alighted on top branch of a dead P. in the shade about 100yds. NW of Rock Ridge, saw in the canyon. Saw this adult shake head violently 3+ times. The tree was whitened as if used before for roosting- others were in sunshine still 100+yds. up the slope. 4:48, at least 6 visible at Big Cave area, one atop cliff, none on Roost Tree; frequent shift-ing still. I left Pyramid 20 & drove to Old Cabin. Saw 7 at Big Cave at 5:05 but could spot none on Arundell Ridge. Saw 1 late-comer descending northward over Arundell Ridge. Continued on to head of Hopper Canyon & visited the horse carcass - it was somewhat deflated but still unopened. Saw one coyote leaving carcass. Camped at head of Hopper Canyon. March 15, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Calif. Clear cool night. I left car at head of trocha trail to Canda Creek & hiked down cliff

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus March 15, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Ca/17. tops toward Big Cave to watch from blind there. at 9:15 stopped about 1/2 mile N. of Big Cave to watch. Saw 2 circling near #1 nest. 1 saw 4 pedi- cled in separate tree on N. slope of Crumbell Ridge - at 9:25 only 1 perched adult still visible there & about 5 in air nearby. 9:25, an adult alight- ed atop the high rampart 1/4 t mile N. of Big Cave. I had a good view with telescope - red crop patch was conspicuous. About 9:27 two adults alighted within a few feet of the one. One walked 10+ up the rock with wings as if to balance. One displayed, walking around facing another. The displayer held wings ^A and head (F), tail dragging on the rock. The displayer backed away several times. & displayer had to walk around this adult. One adult twice put its head under the tail of displayer from the rear & right side & appar- ently plucked at the feathers in anal region. The displayer pecked at another adult & the second flew off, the displayer reaching the rock out at it with bill wide open. Then displayer took off & chased the other adult - they swooped up flapping in front of Big Cave & the chased one turned in the air so as to bring feet up toward the

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus Hopper Canyon, Calif. March 15, 1976 chaser at end of one swoop [drawing], then fell off into glide & chase assumed. Retro- greasing - an anim. Also alighted atop cliff with the 2 adults - all took off when the two left. Displayer showed both red crop patch & red patch at base of neck ventrally (this slightly bulged it appeared). I saw 7 vultures circling together & rising 500+ ft. over Cedar Cliff at 9:35 - some chasing was still going on then. Air cool with light S. breeze; sky clear. 9:42, a group of 5 circling & rising together over head of Pyramid Lookout. One headed SW from 500' above Cedar Cliff. One adult perched atop F lot. Ps. still. 9:45 - no perched birds visible. 9:48, one rising over head of Pyramid Canyon - breeze SE, up this canyon. A group of 3 near Old Colin, working northward above Rim. It's "Rising time" about 9:40 today. 9:51 - 5 (" ") circling over Old Colin area & a sixth circling & working up the slope over Spring Canyon Meadow. Two vultures flew within about 50 yds. of me around 9:30 this morning - I was in open sitting atop a rock. They came at separate times & didn't seem much interested. The display was the closest (about 200yds.) & took place when I was less concealed, than any I recall witnessing before. 9:56, 3 loitering over Old Colin - two 3 heading S. above Rim (100+ above) near Pyramid Look-

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus March 15/1946 Hopper Canyon Calif. out. A seventh circling over E. slope of Hopper Mtn. tops. 10:01 - now 2 over Hopper Mtn., 2 over Pyramid lookout, 4 2 (1000± high) over Old Cabin. 11:03 - the Pyramid 10 pair heading toward Hopper Mtn. - 5 total scattered from Hopper Mtn. to Parking Place; apparently searching rather than making a B-line for known food supply. Fresh SE breeze. 10:06, two adults without crop lodge circled 4 rose 100± yds. W. of me. One had notch in center of secondaries of both wings or and other a missing #4 left primary. The ruff seems always to be in same condition in flight - that is up to the head. The long neck does not show (drawing of bird head) 10:11, the pair now 500± directly above me, circling at same level 4 30± yds. apart maximum. 3 still over the Flat Nump area of South Ridge. 10:13, the above gave 2 over E. Rim SE of Big Cave. pair gave. I headed for Big Cave again. An immature left Big Cave area 4 soared down Conder Canyon - wings curved — — , tail tilted much. Then 2 adults lift that area 4 circled below Big Cave for 5± min. utes - one had #4 left primary missing. At 10:30 I was at the pool area atop Big Cave. There were many new tracks to about 30' back from cliff edge, then flew. First water was a pool in sand about 95' back from falls brink. Only 2 or 3 corduroy led to it - more birds may have app- roached over rocks however, but told still very

1 room 2 offset - po 2 offt pr - po 2 10:30 - proof 75' 2 ft. - 5 moars 6/2 x 02 1x 91 " sent to cast. wedth 4 1/2 - 3/4. 10:40 - 10d m cx 2 mm - 145' Chas. Dom Room, 1st. Record 11 - ad x am off. 11:06? - am aff: 11:10 - in df; um good two. St. Jude's, No ford day left.

Gymnogyps californianus March 15, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Cal.F. small. The water was somewhat soiled as if from birds bathing or wading. There are no new condor tracks further up the creek. 5 condors soared near the Big Cave area at this time-per- haps on account of me. Measured some con- dor pieces 20" long x 2 3/4" offset, 16"x1". The length of one track from center of front claw to center of hind one - 7" average of several with little variation. Widths aver- aged 4 1/2 " (claw center to claw center). Some were 4 3/4 & one 5 3/4". At 10:40 I peered over the cliff top & saw an adult standing on Whitewash Ledge. About 10:50 I again looked over the edge - an imm. was running back about 20' above adult & another imm. stand- ing 20+ 'below. Both immatures had the white tips of greater secondary coverts form- ing a distinct line. Lower one had down just above tarsi for 1+". Both had backs of neck & head feathered. Apparently both perfectly fledged - no large feathers miss- ing or battered. Birds of 1975? Perhaps. I took a photo of the ledge & birds from about 200' away - they seemed concerned about me but did not fly. At about 11:00 the adult took off with a sudden jump

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus March 15, 1976 Hopper Canyon, Calif. and the lower imm. also took off as if frightened from the perch. When imm. was perched, it gave at least 2 "yawns" which disclosed brownish yellow inside mouth. This imm. & adult circled over Cardon Knoll, the imm. above the adult. Then they returned over me. The imm. soared especially close to me several times while adult only came within 50 ft. once. Adult had small crop buldge tho it seemed not when perched. None of these 3 had bands. About 11:05 the other immature took off & circled very close over me, feet down a large part of the time & sometimes flex gliding. I took a photo of this bird in flight. These immatures showed a brownish black triangle in the under wing patches - another sign of youth? The tail of one was quite square out rather than a smooth arc: ( ) - a peculiarity which I noted in J.L. Murray's color painting. 11:10, I started to erect my blind 100' SW of falls limb. The last imm. to take off alighted atop cliff over Whitewash Ledge. At about 11:20 I was settled in blind - the imm. took off & in company with another soared over me close, again & again, for

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus March 15, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Calif. about 5 minutes. The flight made a rushing rather than a singing sound. Both seemed to have a bulging button in the crop area & a few light (down?) feathers protruding from sternum behind this bulge. All quiet by about 11:25. No condors at Big Cave area by 12:30. Retrogressing - the imm. which circled over me with feet down at one point raised the right leg & scratched 3+ times at head or neck, all quite slowly. At 2:45 p.m. an imm. alighted on Whitewash Lodge & an adult 2 minutes later. The imm. was a fuzzy headed one with crop patch bulging, & appeared like the one I saw perched at about same spot around 11 a.m. today. The adult was 20' above imm... Adult preened. Pecked at a short feather between its feet until feather fell off cliff. There was a fair E. wind flapping my tent blind constantly. Adult had a rosy color on sides of neck from ear down - distinct contrast from range of the vestrum. Wind veil did not show the rosy hue. Back of neck was dull grayish orange. Between the rosy sides & magenta ventral neck spot was a light grey area.. This adult seemed to wrangle have crosswise crease lines or lack of shed & necks & a wart (?) left of center on hind neck. There were scattered black feathers in crow

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus March 15, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Calif. area of adult as if bird were somewhat immature. A few between eye & ear or hind neck too, it appeared. Adult wiped side of head on back & then held bill open for 2+ seconds. Most brilliant orange is between frontal feathers & bill (top & sides of rostrum). 3:12, adult again wiped side of head on back quickly & followed this by holding bill open 2+ sec. 3:20, both preening. Immn. feathered with short dark gray down on back of head & neck. Ventral cervical apterium is grayish - about same color as legs. Down at tops of tarsi. Brownish orange color in mouth. 3:25, the immn. sunned back, holding wings out for over 4 minutes, then slowly bringing them in. Primaries pointed forward & down during sun. ning (hand) - the crop bulge was conspicuous. Lining of wing largely white with brownish triangular area. Immn. preened ruff & wing edge while sunning. 3:42, I noticed adult & The adult put wings up once in regaining balance - there was small dark area in the white lining - a "near-adult". 3:40 I noticed adult & immn. looking down canyon. At 3:42 another fuzzy headed immature landed on high- est perch of whitewash ledge. No light colored stripe at tips of greater secondary coverts was evident on this bird; back & sides of neck had short dark down. The newcomer busily preened, nibbling under scapulars

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus March 15, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Calif. and tail. The near adult had the lightwing stripe. 3:51, another fuzzy headed imm. alighted - this one atop cliff over Whitewash Ledge. Birds appeared 1\frac{3}{4} m. ad. now apparently none of these birds had soared near my blind before they landed - I detected them almostly on the cliff. Fair wind still. Sky clear. air cool - 55° in blind. It seems that immatures are last to leave & first to return to roost - how do they get enough to eat? Perhaps fed by ad- elts but I have never seen this in spring! 4:08, no change. Top imm. does not have bulging bare crop patch. Ruff up to ears on top imm.. Dawn at tops of Kani & white light wing chevron on this bird too. 4:10, top mins walked 1\frac{5}{8}' down rock, wings up, until over the near adult (#2), 4:12, a 4th fourth imm. landed clear of the others on the ledge. This one had red eye, pink ventrally or neck but dark head with feathers on head, neck & back. Wing lining was brown brownish white rather uniform- rather than same white & same brown feathers. This bird seemed back for 1+ minute a few seconds after landing (#5). Birds numbered in order of arrival. 4:13, #4 flapped toward falls brink & took 22 flops but apparently stalled before reaching a perch & soared back to alight on lower Whitewash Ledge at 4:19.

No text detected

Ford 2945 Gymnogyps californianus Hopper Canyon, Calif. March 15, 1946 the birds appeared: 3 6 5 2 (m. ad.) an older 1 0 an older yet imm. perched next to # 5 - this one with orange cheeks + pink neck but sooty around eyes + lorestrum. 4:21 - several landed; 10 total visible. 4:25 - 17 visible, 8 definitely imm - sturns (not counting # 5). Some adults are rosy around ears + sides of neck - others not - a sexual characteristic? Saw one display brightly step cliff. An imm. landed 20± 'N. of dry pool. stop falls but left. 4: 40 ± - 15 total; at least 7 dark heads. 4:45 - three adults step cliff over Big Cue. One was a near-adult - a little sooty. One adult displayed in normal fashion, & lock of neck toward displayer, tail not spread but dragging stiffly on the rocks. The displayer was the near adult. It nibbled at wing lining and prop. apterium of displayer. Displayer put one foot on top of head of other 3 ± times. The third adult was in the way of the 2 much of the time; it left & display continued. Displayer had no noticeable pink on side of neck but red spot at base dorsally woorway bright + crop apterium bulged (even after dis- play). THe walking motion was mainly a side to side rocking on the feet. Displayer left & displayer 1± minute later. Displayer

No text detected

Gymnogyps californicus March 15, 1976 Hopper Canyon, Calif. landed next to an old immature (very sooty head) and 2+ times put a foot on top of its head be- fore it flew. 5 p.m. Frequent perch shifting. Looked for banded birds - no luck. One slighted next to another on ledge - feathers flew + there was a sound like a snarling dog - inhaling + exhaling as a few feathers flew + one bird flew off. Per- haps feathers scratching on rock? A few seconds later there was a light cough sound as another off perch. My field apparently good - some slighted within 100 ft. At 5:06, 1 imm. & 2 adults near falls limb. 13 condors in view. One adult summed back 2+ minutes about 4:45, 5:08, adult & imm. stop to cliff near falls - both standing calmly. Adult off about 5:09 & imm. 5:10 - both to other perches on cliff. Stepping flaps in landing seem to be about 3/sec (less) - same for shifting perch - this is result of 3 timings. Now heard up to 11 flaps given before landing. 5:15- 6 condors in about 5' plain. Circle atop cliff over Big Cove. Dark head nubbled head often adult there. Adult nubbled head of sooty headed one. Later adult put head underneath of this one & seemed to throw it over backward - there was a grunt or of expelled air as this occurred. The sooty headed was love unfathered area be-

No text detected

Gymnogyps californicus March 15, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Cal't low & behind the mandible - rest of head sooty the color shows through somewhat & pale sides of neck evident. 5:22, 6 near dry pool at falls, 3 in shade. Fuzzy headed jimm. somewhat alone in the group. It nibbled sand. It nibbled green glass & tossed it from into the hill several times. One adult pt. stalked another as if going to display. It put head under the other one and again - the other gave a jump & lost a bunch of down plus a 4+" feather which remained in the first one's bill. 5:25- much shifting of perches. Still at 5:30- 10 atop cliff & 4 (3 min.) on whitewash ledge. One one min. crawled flat on the ledge. Saw one sooty head peck twice at another (each time a hiss was heard). A third then peck' ed at the pecker; pecker took off followed by the third, & then the first pecked & took off after them. 5:35- sunset line crossed top of cliff above Big Cave. One or more in flight almost constantly heard or seen. One sooty head landed on at a perch where another just landed & just took off. 5:38, heard a grunt sound like a suppressed blech - I do believe the birds make hisses, grunts, & growls occasionally. Air calm since about 4:30 p.m. 5:40- only 6 in sight now - 3 on whitewash ledge & 2 atop

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus March 15, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Calif. cliff end me in pothole. I cannot see Roost Tree or pothole on N. face of Canda Cliff from blind- The nest may lie there. None has seemed to be alarmed by the blind. Adult bar ruff seen - 520 F., no wind. 5:45, only 1 (min). on Whitewash Ledge now - 3 in potholes over Big Cave, one on shelf there, & 1 adult atop cliff 300+ yds. N. of Big Cave. 5:48, the shelf shelve off & one (same?) into small pothole over Big Cave which contained another adult. 5:55, the imm. shifted from the open ledge to shelf over Big Cave (somewhat pro- tected). The 3 potholes over Big Cave each contain at least 1 adult. One young adult still atop cliff 300+ yds. N. of Big Cave. 5:57, a second fuzzy head was perched below Whitewash Ledge. It flew to shelf by other imm., then about 1 minute later to whitewash ledge. At 6 p.m. 4 orange heads + 2 fuzzy heads visible at least in part, more seemingly crunched flat for the night. Two roars raved vociferously near Big Cave - imm. seemed mildly interested. 6:02, a 3rd fuzzy head alighted in hole below Whitewash Ledge (unoccupied). 6:03 - the orange head left cliff top, one flew alighted low on whitewash ledge, & by jumps + flaps worked 20+ up the ledge. The 5 pothole over Big Cave became

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus March 15, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Calif. vocant - lowest immature flapped up to it & in. at 6:05: 6 at Big Cave area. 6:08, with 17 flaps, we entered the pathole & the min. left. Adult came from Whitewash Ledge so probably same (rock order?). 6:10, the lone min. on Whitewash Ledge now crouched flat on ledge facing cliff. 6:12 - heard me move off - apparently the last one to slight in pathole. All 3 patholes filled at 6:15 (by adults) and 2 min. on open ledges. Air calm. 6:25 - saw a second on lower Whitewash Ledge. The min. previously there shifted to the shelf over top of Big Cave. Poorwills heard - first this year. 6:45 p.m. - by moonlight mainly saw 2 still on Whitewash Ledge & 1 on shelf over Big Cave. Same at 11 p.m. At 6:30 F. Wool, Telford Work, & Al Wool, & Harold Nell Hill arrived. Work stayed in blind with me & Wool & Hill camped up the canyon from Big Cave. They had been at horse carcass to about 4 p.m. but no carcass had come. They met Frank Arnold on way up Pole Canyon & Frank told them of his carion collecting experiences in the old days very willingly. Work will take movies at Big Cave tomorrow while Nell & Wool will explore out 1 canyon.

No text detected

Ford 2950 Gymnops californicus March 16, 1976 Hopper Canyon, Calif. At 6:30 a.m. of this cold clear day saw one adult crunched flat on Whitewash Ledge & one min. on shelf over Big Cove. Latter had head tucked in. Adult tucked head in later, then out again after a few minutes. Puff way up, monk style. 6:40 a.m. had head out & preened occasi- onally. Tails Rear 1/2 of adults were visible pro- truding from 2 of the potholes over Big Cove (none seen from southernmost one). So - at least 2 cardors spent all night on open ledges off near Big Cove & at least 2 in potholes there. The roost- ing position was with head tucked in & at 11pm last eve it could be seen that 2 on Whitewash Ledge were crunched flat, 6+ feet apart, & the min. over Big Cave seemed to be standing but with head tucked in (moonlight night). One by one the cardors left Big Cove & flew down Carda Canyon - all gone by 6:55 tho some shine on Whitewash Ledge & atop cliff over Big Cove. By 7:15, 4 cardors in sunshine at lower Whitewash Ledge. They probably come from Last Tree or pot- holes on N. face of Carda Cliff. Adult so @ 7:22, 2 adults seemed looser on lower Whitewash Ledge. Walh shot some pictures of this. After 3+ minute one folded one wing (toward cliff tip in shade) & continued sunning. Both stopped sunning by

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus March 16, 1946 Hopper Canyon Calif. 7:27. 7:31 there was a group of 3 adults which had been together 10 ± minutes. Suddenly one lunged at a second, the second took off, + the linger followed 30 ± sec. later - a fuzzy headed immature alighted in its place. Imm. sunned ledge. 7:33, another dark headed imm. alighted 5 ±' below the scanner. Adult 30 ±'ft. higher on the Whitewash Ledge took off down the canyon. The imm. sunned almost cateri-narily for about 6 minutes. Lower imm. took off at 7:49 leaving adult + imm. 8 ±'apart on a shelf below Whitewash Ledge (only 2 visible). Clear sky. Fair wind by 7:50. 7:54, a second fuzzy headed imm. joined the 2 cordon on some leds shelf. 7:58 an adult alighted atop cliff over whitewash Ledge (2 min. + 2 adults now visible). 8:10- the 3 groups preened. One imm. had poor wing stripes + fairly uniform brownish white underwing pattern; also light colored at base of neck. Preened with wing sagging at side. Adult atop cliff had ruff way up ~40°F in blind. About 8:25 adult atop cliff left + 1 imm. from below. Other imm. was in shadow as adult seemed back for 7 ± minutes (only left wing out last minute). The imm. left + adult 2 ± min. later at 8:32.

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus March 16, 1976 Hopper Canyon, Calif. 8:45, an adult & imm. alighted on Whitewash Ledge about 9' apart. Imm. shifted to cliff top near falls brink but seemed disturbed (by camera movement ?) and flew back to ledge. Wirk shot pictures of adult. Scrutiny with tlescope revealed this adult had a band on right leg - Wirk identified it as the eagle band they placed on nesting adult last year.. It appeared very tight & halfway up the tarsus - well whitened, not shiny. At 9:24 this adult took off. Made a "wind bow" down canyon about 1 minute before finally raising wings & taking off (Wirk photoed this). This adult had bulging crop - imm. did not. 9:45, still only 1 imm. left as before. Fair wind continued. We left Blind & took some pictures of points round Big Cave but saw no condor - for E. wind at 10:25 we left Big Cave - the imm. was still on ledge (1945 youngster I judged. We hiked to car at head of tractor trail Carivod (11:15). Saw 3 ravens at horse carcass - no condors. Wirk told Dirk me that Dr MacLean sketched them on a map the place on Pine Creek where he said he once found a half grown youngster. He marked a spot about 4 miles from Ridge Route. The group went on 9 miles down before getting

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus March 16, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Calif. to the described place & found nothing. The place was in a pothole about 200 ft. above river bottom. We returned to Big Cave. Saw one close adult about 12:45+ young min. about 1 p.m. We entered blind at 1:35 - light E. breeze, sky clear, 70°F. By 4 p.m. no condors had land- ed at Big Cave area. Light breeze - much less than yesterday at this time. 4:40 p.m. - con- dors heard soaring near; 2 seen circling in front of Big Cave. An adult landed in pothole over N. side of Big Cave. Adult off down canyon at 7:50. Although not obviously disturbed, the condors may have been so disturbed by the blind & people yesterday, last night & today that they do not feel safe roosting at Big Cave tonight. Left blind about 5:20 & hiked N. long cliff tape. Saw one condo parked flat on Flat Ps. + possibly one other on Brundell Ridge by search with telescope. Perhaps the condors are not roosting in Hopper Basin tonight. Returned to camp at head of Hopper Canyon. March 17, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Calif. Fairly warm moonlight night overscast with scirius clouds. T. Work & I drove to Parking Place. at 7 a.m. saw 1 condor atop Flat Ps. on Brundell Ridge, 1 in a dead Ps. in Parking Canyon on Despe side of Parking Place. (300 ft. yds. down

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus March 17, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Calif. from road, 42 in separate dead bs. near foot of Water Tank trail near Rock Ridge. We picked a spot in Big Meadow for building a blind from which to photo & watch vanda visit. At 8- about 9 a.m. all the birds as before. We drove to Pete Ligan's, then back on rim. At 10 a.m. saw that bird in Parking Canyon & on Armidell Ridge were gone. None visible in Big Cave area. At 10:05 saw one gliding SE S. about 300' above Rim near Old Cabin. Arrived at camp at head of canyon about 10:25. Air calm & hazy up to then - a light breeze commenced. Waked at camp, then hiked to top of Big Cave - seeing no vanders on the way - and entered blind at 12:30 with T. Wake. By 4:30 p.m. no vandors were seen or heard in Big Cave area. 60° F. in blind, light breeze. Left blind at 5 p.m. - no candors in sight. Met Al Wool & Harold Hill. They had been down East Canyon, then down Hopper Canyon and up Water Tank Canyon, then back to foot of East Canyon (where camped), then up Hopper Creek to past #11 nest and #1 nest to head of Hopper Canyon. They saw a vander near #11 nest, 2 or 3 others perched in trees on Armidell Ridge, and one in a pottle near North Point which acted as if it had an egg in the hole. They

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus March 17, 1946. Hopper Canyon, G.I.F. watched this bird from about a half mile - it held head low as if feeding at flat & went back in cave several times, each time apparently settling [rest 12] down with a shimming motion as if on an egg. No eating of the weak old first carcass yet. March 18, 1946. Hopper Canyon, G.I.F. Calm cold night (first). at 8 a.m. fog up lower Hopper Canyon at about 3500 ft. level. We left camp at about 9 a.m. & went to Parking Place. Fog came up the canyon & engulfed us. We built a blind of sheet metal under some bushes in Big Meadow. Fog gradually lifted above the Rim. At 11:43 one condor soared over us heading S.E. Breeze was light, air cool. We saw 3 then perched atop Arundell Ridge on Saddle Pt. One flew to High Pt. near Flat Pt.. At 12:15 we saw 6 circling over Arundell Ridge, rising & more perched. They worked up the slope to near Pyramid L.O. & headed S.E. We saw 7 at about 12:23 from Parking Place. Two were adults, one a near adult, & 4 imm. aturs. They circled close (100 ft.) over us soaring slowly. 3't birds had missing #t-4 or 5 primary. One min. had feet down. Ceiling was about 200' overhead. The two adults came together - one chased the other briefly. The adults & 1 min. slid S.E. toward the residue of others

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus March 18, 1946 Hopper Canyon, CA 1700 E. into Hopper Canyon. Breeze was fan fans. Sun breaking thru cumulo-status clouds occassionally. At 1:10 saw one adult perched on limb of the dead P.O. nearest road just W. of Parking Knoll. We walked down the road toward the bird. It put head & bill down near feet, ruff up. As we passed behind the bird, it turned around slowly. Scratched head with right foot. We took a few photos for about 3 minutes from about - 75' from the adult, then the bird turned around & took off down the canyon. We then went to Old Calvin and down to Spring Canyon Mdw. to observe the hole where Nell & Wool saw a cardor yesterday. This hole was about 2' high & ∩-shaped located about halfway up a 60' high sheer W. facing cliff about 100 yds. N. of North Point (about 40' below highest top of bluff there). This cave is easily watchable from B Spring Canyon Mdw. After There was a dark spot in the cave which may have been a cardor or an egg (2:10 p.m.) At 2:10 saw three cardors fly ing about the trees on Arndell Ridge. 2:38, we whistled & shouted & the adult in #12 nest came to cave entrance. The bird stood facing down canyon, then up, & at about 2:44 walked back into the hole & again hole appeared as sketched above. 2:45, saw 3 cardors over Arundell Ridge. Cumulo - status clouds

No text detected

2957 Gymnogyps californianus March 18, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Calif. at about rim level & foggy below. Fair S.E. breeze. Hill said that in 1940 a group stayed in Hopper Canyon for two weeks. One man looked for a cardo nest near Mundell Cliffs for some time & finally saw a cardo enter the Wolf nest. One member of this party wrote an article about the trip for an eastern magazine but did not mention the egg collector. The egg was taken about March 17, 1940 Hill recalls. Frank Mundell told them the other day that he took one egg about 1/4 mile below Big Cave. Because of threatening weather we returned to camp at head of Hopper Canyon. We visited the horse carcass - still unbroken hide & much stunk with hair falling off. At 1:30 the cloud base lifted to about 4500 ft. level & we saw two cardos pirling over Big Meadow in the very clear air. Weather closed in again & we went to Pete Loggin in Pale Canyon for the night. March 19, 1946 Nr. Whiteacre Rk., Calif. Walked to Whiteacre Rk. & back to head of Hopper Canyon in fog & drizzle & light snow. Saw no cardos. March 20, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Calif. Snow & fog all day at head of Hopper Can- yon and on Hopper Rim - snow 3" deep on level. Sky cleared somewhat about 4 p.m. but probably too late for cardos to search for food.

No text detected

Gymnoyps californicus March 21, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Calif. Walked from head of Hopper Canyon to North Point and down slope to Cave Point arriving 10:25 a.m. with Al Wool. At 9:00 we were 1/4 +/- mile N. of North Point & saw one adult (with # 5 primary missing from each wing, a near center rectry missing, & a notch in inner left secondaries) circling over the ridge at NE of North Point. This bird passed 300' above us then glided to vicinity of #1 nest camp, circled into st stories, then glided N. over the rim toward Agua Blanca watershed, never pausing although passing nearly over the old horse carcass. Maybe this was a #12 nest adult. There was a cloud layer with bottom at about 4000' level - it had risen up the canyon from a foglike lower layer. We could spot no perched cormors from Cave Point but saw one soar circle & rise from vicinity of #11 nest at about 10:30 - this bird rose over Arundell Ridge into cloud base. It had #5 left primary missing - no other apparent feather gaps. At 10:50 this adult soared down & alighted on top limb of a dead Ro. about 300 yds. W. of #11 nest cave. The bird perched there & at 11:04 took off, circled & rose over Arundell Ridge to 300+ ft. altitude, then glided toward Big Cave direction (11:11). A red-tailed hawk soared & dove above Arundell Ridge but no interaction with the

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus March 21, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Calif. color. We had entered the cave at Cave Point at about 10:40 to observe #11 nest vicinity. 40° F., fair breeze from SE, cloud layer at about 8000 ft. (cumulus stratus). Many snow patches on rocks & ground from yesterday's storm. 11:26 an adult landed in some dead P's again & took off about 1 minute later & soared E. down canyon passing 80 ft' above #11 nest - perhaps our original approach flushed the incubating adult which is now trying to reenter the nest but is disturbed by us. Our location was in a cave about 1/4 mile NW of #11 nest. At 11:43 the adult returned & perched atop Flat P... saw this bird erect in air while flying, left a long string of white excrement. About 11:46 shifted to green P's. 300 ft yde. NE of #11 nest & at 11:47 to the first tall dead P's. Before the 11:46 perching the adult soared 100 ft' above our cave. We stayed well back in cave but were visible from the peak tower on Russell Ridge. The adult jumped up to a 4+ ft' higher perch about 2 minutes after landing. In 3 landings on this tree the adult has used 3 different perches. Pres- ent perch is 12+ ft from top of 60+ ft tall dead P's. on a 12" stub branch. Branch will not support outer toe of left foot apparently as too short - bird is squeezed against trunk & facing away from cliff (toward us). Ruff up to ears. Adult once flopped wings several times as if to

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus March 21, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Cal. again balance. We had a small warning fire in the cave - visible to perched adult Condors. No crop afterwards visible in perched bird tho possi- bly some sludge. Still perched at 12:30 - one adult stretched left wing down & back. We left Cave Point about 12:40 to avoid keeping adult from nest. At 12:50 we saw 6 condors total - one as above, one atop Roost Tree (this tried to alight in pathole 1/4- mile N. of Big Cave & gave 13 flaps trying to get a foot- hold, then dropped off & flew to tree) & 4 circling above Big Cave. We went up Condor Creek & visited Hills Wake's nest (arrived 1:40). Apparently no condor visitation since my last visit. Fog descended & engulf- ed us at Condor Cliff about 1:45. We returned to camp at head of Hopper Canyon - for the rest of the day there. March 22, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Cal. Clear frosty night. Drove & hiked to Pyramid Lookout arriving 8:30 a.m. (with Al Wool). Sky clear, haze in valleys, fog N. of Liebre - Cobbles mtn. line. At 8:35 saw one adult circling over Arundell Ridge. It worked over Spring Gymps Mdw., flap circling, taking 15 flaps consecutively once. & Timed 7 flaps in 3 sec- onds once. This bird worked up over Old Cabin (about 8:45) & then headed straight

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus March 22, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Calif. toward the [illegible] in a long fly glide. about 1 mile W. of Rim it put feet halfway down, cir- cled back, then continued on toward the falls at Oil Well Pt. on the Big Slope, occasionally giving a wing dip. When last seen at 9:51 it was near the cliffs 1/4+ mile S. of the falls - not improbably a nesting adult; early rising time & no company do not indicate foraging. May. be going to the nest so I found there in 1940. At 8:40 I saw 4 cardors at Big Cove area about 1/3 way up the cliff, perched on ledges & occasionally shifting. 9:13, occasional light breezes, 30° F. I saw 2 adults circling near Cardor Knoll (below Big Cove) & 2 cardors perched on Whitewash Ledge. 9:15, three atop cliff above Whitewash Ledge & 2 on ledge & 1 on Saddle Pt. - 6 total (+1 to Slope & one each on #11/4 #12 nests = 9). 9:25 - four (2 ad; 2 imm.) circling over lower Cardor Canyon; one two on Whitewash Ledge, 1 summing (for 7 1/2 minutes continuously, summing back, wings out) on Saddle Pt. 9:30 9:35- one gone from Saddle Pt.. 9:35, one adult atop Flat Pt.; summed back for 2 minutes. Five circling near Cardor Knoll, none visible near Big Cove. 9:49, adult left Flat Pt. - now visible perched anywhere. 9:45- me adult was about at at about 7500 ft. level over Spring Canyon Mdw., after having worked

[illegible] Jho-b N 2ph 001 - 8 8-100 Jho N fjm LS 11:55 AM Jho. 43 55:11

2962 Gymnogyps californianus March 22, 1946 Hopper Canyon, G.I.F. up from over Sandstone Mesa. 9:48, 5 visible over Rim at head of Hopper Canyon - 2 left near White acre Pk. at 9:53. One of the 5 peeled off & descend- ed into the Pine drainage in direction of Whitaker Pk. 9:55- 3 cardors circling 500 ± ' above Whiteacre Pk.. abt Occasional light breeze; 50° F. 10:00- 3 over Whiteacre Pk. still, circling aimlessly. Followed one about 2 miles E., another 2 miles W. of the peak. At 10:10 picked up one N. of White Point coming up from below Rim level. It circled & rose, soared halfway to North Point, circled working back over the horse carcass, then glided W. over the Rim at Small Mdr. Pass at 50 ±' alitute. 10:23, 2 cardors circling at 300' over Rim for NE of Nuth Slope. 54° The two glided into Hopper Canyon & descended, fast down, toward Crundell Ridge, at least we disappearing behind the ridge as if to slight about 10:28. 10:45, saw one circling over Old Cabin, apparently having come from N. It rose to 1000 ±' & then headed N. again. 10:55, there were 2 turkey vultures flying & perching above #/2 nest. a condor adult alighted on cliff edge above the nest (10:55). At 10:57 it took off & alighted 100 ±' to N. & 300' lower down on a small point, flushing a turkey vulture from the spot. 10:58 the condor took off & perched

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus March 22, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Calif. about 150 yds. N. of #12 nest on a rock point. 10:59 the condor took off, soared past the nest, & circled & rose above North Ridge & over the Rim near White Cliffs. Perhaps this was one of the mating pair, during the buzzards from the spot. I have often seen 1 or 2 turkey vultures at this area this season - perhaps the condors have their nest hole. Saw another condor circling beyond the Rim (NE) at about 11:05. By 12:00 saw no more condors. We worked at getting our cars out of the mud & returned to Pyramid Lookout at about 2:25. At 2:30 I saw an adult soaring 100t' above Rock Ridge & watched it until 2:44 when it swooped behind Arundell Ridge as if to land there. Dur- ing the flight the bird descended over Rock Ridge & landed on a ledge halfway up the cliff, then took off 15± sec. later, circled over East & Southeast Canyons (foot) and over foot of North Slope. Several (3±) times it put flat down for a few seconds, then raised them. Occ- asionally it gave a wing dip. Sometimes it cir- cled & gained altitude & at other times flew- glided & lost altitude. At 2:35 it joined another adult & circled with it for 2± min- utes. At 2:45 saw one jimm. circle & things rise to W. of the lookout & high above it.

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus March 22, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Calif. Breeze light to fair from SW, temps. 58°F. at 2:57 two circled & rose over the Rim from W. near the lookout. 3:27 saw one adult, very stuffed (🦅) over Old Cabin - this bird descended in a steady flex glide toward the Dolphin Pk. area (or oil well Pt. ?) too hazy to follow over a mile W. of Rim. 3:35, 8 cardors seen approach- ing Old Cabin area from NW. 3:50-3 scattered over E. Rim at about 4500 ft. level; still more invisible perched. 4:08, one min. spiraled down & landed ? in nest highest dead Po. in Lookout Parking Place. This was dark head with dark triangles in wing lining patch. Burned front, wings out, for 1+ minute. 4:19- I saw one adult spiral down, lower flat, & swoop to land on a top branch of a dead Po. near center of face of Rock Ridge. This one gone at 4:25, younger as before. At 4:30 left the lookout. Saw none in Parking Canyon. Drove to Old Cabin & at 5pm. saw 3 at Big Cave (1 atop Roast Tree, two on ledge). Drove on to road opposite #12 nest (about 1 mile). at 5:13 whistled & shouted and the adult ca rose slowly & stood in entrance facing down canyon with wings cocked 🦅. The entrance was so small that the bird filled it & seemed to be down on its heels to get in. There was a supporting ledge below the hole of only a few inches it appeared. The tail of the bird

No text detected

2965 Gymnogyps californianus March 22, 1946 Hopper Canyon Cal.f. Had been visible from our position 3/4. After 2 1/2 minutes the bird folded wings & stood with back to us & sew. Adult slipped & regained footing with several flaps. It spread wings & sunned back for about 1 minute, the wings being outside the nest cave. At 5:17 the bird entered cave & slowly sat about as before after locating with head down (a look back or rolling egg). We continued on to camp at head of Hopper Canyon. March 23, 1946 Nr. Fillmore, Ventura Co., Cal.f. Cool clear calm night, some frost. With all cool drove from head of Hopper Canyon to Fillmore. At 7 a.m. saw at least 2 caddos, at Whitewash ledge (one about 15' above oak tops), none in Pole Canyon. Arrived Fillmore about 9 a.m. Drove to gate on Big Jespe road & hiked to Oil Well Paint -- departing by 1 p.m. 10:35 + arriving 12:30. Saw no action around old nest site opposite (toward Sulphur Pl.) the paint though whitewash was fresh appearing on several rock points & ledges in that area. Hiked through the brush & rocks up the slope toward the old nest. At 14:10 we saw an adult + immature (fuzzy head, perhaps a 1945 youngster) standing together on a rock about 100 yards from us. We dove into the brush & came up about 50 yards from them -- they remained.

No text detected

Gymnogyps californiaus March 23, 1946 Big Sespe Canyon, Calit. We again approached & at 2:23 saw they were in air. The immature had dark patch in center of wing lining patches & a light white line on wing - no color visible on head tho yellow- brrown in mouth. Imm. had slit in right side of tail (A) and #2 right primary missing. The two passed 100±' over us heading S½, then back over us. The imm. was always a poorer flier than the adult & did much more tail tilting. A good deal of the time imm. followed 100±' behind adult as if following the leader. Imm. had a protruding button on sternum - to rear of usual crop bulge in adults; fuzzy down above tarsii too. We searched for the old nest. At 3 p.m. the same two again soared over us within about 50 ft., several times. Imm. had feet lamce- seinely. At 3:11 the adult & imm. perched upon an outjutting rock point about ¼ mile toward SW from the old nest - there was a great deal of wing flapping & it appeared that the imm. was begging for food (possibly fed). Another adult circled near - perhaps we flushed this one from a nest. I entered the old nest cavity & found no evidence of use since my last visit. I found but 2 bones (ungulate hoof & rabbit scap femur)

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus March 23/1946 Big Sespe Canyon, Cal.F. and a 1" squarish rounded brown piece of glass (a piece of beer bottle?). The only whitewash appear ed seems quite old & a few old feathers were clear? The green bushes at mouth of this cavity are not worn or whitened. A rock point & ledge about 100 ft. out (on ridge) from the nest were heavily whitewashed, & 2 points about 100 yds. up canyon (to E.) were also well & freshly whitened. The whitening may have been caused by an imm. raised last year or by adults perched near a nest. I feel that there is another nest site near this cave, while I was in cave the adult flew very close to it with feet down, alighted on a rock point 100+ ft N. of cave, & stared its neck as if peering in at me. About 3/8 mile toward Sulphur Pt. from this cave is an auto-roping with several whitened spots. & 1/2+ mile further on a dead Ps. with some whit ened limbs. It is probable that the adult I saw head for this locality yesterday about 8:30 a.m. was one of the adults present today. At 3:35 we left the nest area & proceeded down to the river near Oil Well Pt. Left the Point at 4:30 & hiked toward Fillmore. At 5 p.m. we saw two adult condors perched 10+ apart on two very

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus March 23, 1946 Big Sespe Canyon, Calif. much whitewashed points on next to top ledge of the high sandstone bluffs to E. of Sespe River about 1/2 mile below Tar Creek at 500 to 700 ft. above creek bed. As we watched one took off & rounded the top corner of the bluff 1/4 mile downstream (could not spot it later from further downstream). The other then took off, circled, & again alighted at same point. The whitewash here appears old & yellowed - because of protected nature of the points the web experiment remains. We con- tinued on to our car at Van Tree's gate (arrived 6:35). Sid Peyton told me he had seen a young crows fed in about May, at about the same place we saw the adults at 5 p.m. but 100+ ft. lower on the cliff. The adult had flown in & perched & the imm. followed, then was fed. Sid saw the feeding another time too. Met game warden Shobley on the road - he hauled me down with siren & red light think- ing I was a fish poacher. He said that when he put carcasses out on the ridge S. of Fill- more about 3 years ago he got as many as 26 crows there & got pictures of them with an 8 mm. camera. He said the crows ate Bob cats but not the coyotes he put out. He lives

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus March 23, 1946 Big Sespe Canyon, Cal. On 4th in the St. in Fillmore now & would be glad to talk w/ them some evening. Warden Greenwald lives at Bengalow down & may also have some info... Shelby seems intelligent & young (about 38?). March 25, 1946 Santa Paula Canyon, Cal. Drove from Fillmore to Santa Paula Canyon with Sidney Peyton Jr. Parked about 1 mile below Pine Flat Camp. Hiked to the old condor nest (Herbenin 1939) & descended cliff & entered nest at 12:00. Saw no condors up to then. Day clear & warm; fair east wind blowing. The point at cave entrance & 2 or 3 others 100+ yds. further up the canyon were well whitened - fresh whitemash it appeared. Inside the nest cave I collected about 10 bone fragments, teeth, & shell fragments (clam-like), & about 50 turds from crevices in the rock ceiling (some as collected in 1939). At 12:30 left the cave. The bees were still quite active in the hole in the rocks near cave entrance. But I saw 2 adults about 500 ft. overhead at 12:30. Sidney told me they had soared about for 5+ min-utes to within about 200 ft. of nest cave. I estimated that no chick had been raised in that cave since 1939. Saw no evidence of collectors having visited the site. Saw 2 old raven nests

(see page) March 25, 1976 Dr. W. R. B., Dear Dr. We hope to be able to visit you in the near future and would appreciate it if you could let us know your availability for such a meeting. Sincerely, J. L. [illegible] [illegible] 1000-2000

Gymnogyps californianus March 25, 1946 Ojai, Calif. Across the canyon top (200 ft) from the old nest. Returned to car & drove to Ojai where talked with Ranger Lyda. He said the new Supervisor Mr. Brenneis, was very interested in wildlife & had mentioned to Lyda the fact that the Audubon people wanted to make Kopper Canyon a condor sanctuary. Lyda was of the opinion that the general condition of the trails in this district was quite poor - many impassable to horses. Lyda said the oil company that had the drilling permit for Kopper Canyon had apparently folded up - they did not even answer their mail. Sid Peyton said the con dors in Santa Paula Canyon had nested about 100 yds. further up the canyon from the nest I looked in and about 8 ft. down from cliff top at (once ?). March 26, 1946 Santa Paula Canyon, Calif. Drove from Fillmore to end of Pine Canyon road. Left car at 9:10 & with Sidney Peyton Jr. hiked up Pine Canyon toward Santa Paula Lookout. At 11:30 crossed saddle near the lookout & hiked tow- ard Cienga Camp. Up to this time saw no condors though air very clear. Calm until about 10:30 a.m. Saw some whitewash near old Peyton nest (ret- urn in bent). In head of Santa Paula Canyon in the red sandstone cliffs saw fresh appearing white- wash at one point where I had seen it several year

No text detected

Ford 2971 Gymnogyps californianus March 26, 1946 Santa Paula Canyon, Calif. ago. At 12:10 we had finished lunch & were starting back toward Pine Canyon. I saw one imm. fly gliding fast down Santa Paula Canyon from near head (of E. Fork) then + two adults circling over the brushy slopes. All three circled & rose above horizon and worked back toward Bear Heaven or Coldwater Canyon in a scattered (2+ miles) group. The red cliffs at head of E. fork appear very favorable for condor roosts or nests. Needled back toward Pine Canyon & arrived at Pine - Lords Canyon divide at 1:20. Took the ex Caldwater trail through head of Pine Canyon until 1:45. This trail is very poor & impassable to horses. Returned to the divide (2:00p.m.) & hiked to end of Pine Canyon road (3:0 p.m.) and drove to Fillmore. Saw no condors in Pine Canyon nor evidence of roosting in trees. The rock point above the old Beyton Rest on N. side of canyon appears to be the most likely condor perch. Mr. Appleton of Simi told me the following story when we were on way to C.O.C. meeting in L.A. About "45 years ago" Appleton shot a condor near Simi. If The bullet struck a second in the head & wounded it. The killed bird was sent to a female taxidermist in the east. Years later he visited her & she told him she still had the skin, un-

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus March 26, 1946 Fillmore, Calif. mounted. She gave him the specimen back & Appleton sent it to George Willett for the L.A. Museum. The wounded bird was kept for a week, and although apparently healthy would not eat squir eels or other food offered it. Then it was released & flew away. (Candors can go for a week without eating, it appears.) April 1, 1946 Santa Barbara, Calif. Conferred with Supervisor Brenmeis at F.S. headquarters. He has been on this forest since March 1. He seemed very interested in cadores & wildlife. In 1928-29, he said, he saw can- dors many times in the Agua Caliente - Dubble area (?-where is that?). I told him of the propo-sition to close the Klapper Mtn. road & he was cautious about giving any answers or decisions on that subject. He said he believed Mr. Garenmiller would be down in this area-perhaps not until June - & they would then like to view the Klapper Mtn. country. Until then, I gathered, Brenmeis was not in favor of tak- ing any action. Visited then the Santa Barbara Museum & talked with C.Z. Rett, Waldo Abbott, & director Coggeshall. Rett was anxious to get some cador photos this year. He gave me a photo

"[illegible]" 8, '5 '25 Apr. - 10 in. - [illegible] 3 weeks.

Ford 2973 Gymnogyps californianus April 1, 1946 Santa Barbara, Calif. of the disced leg bones of the condor found dead by Carl Twisselman last year & a photo of the bird as collected. The bird had been dead about 3 weeks when collected (died about de body May 1, 1945). Bett said as it had been seen on previous occasions. Wingspread was 8'5". Bett said that about 25 years ago when he came to this area he was told there were about 20 condors in the mountains back of Santa Barb- ara - of course few people went back there at that time. Visited Mary Erickson at S.B. College. The trip made by an ornithology class to Pepper Rim (July 1946) was not too successful as some of the cars got stalled. Not even 2 condors at one tudents from were seen from the Rim though one car stalled in Pole Canyon reported seeing 4 circling. She believed Sid Peyton must have told her how to get to a condor viewing spot & where to get a key to the gate (Mrs. [illegible] Philips probably). Spent an hour or so in the evening talking with Henry Shelby & Willard Grenwald, game wardens, about condors & wildlife. Shelby said he had taken all the carcasses of mammals he trapped for almost a year to Torrey Ridge south of Pismo for condor food. He killed a cow there once & condors fed on it also sheep. Babcat carcasses

(pobcat) (206) 26 - Cafe Pounds, (Cem Chook) not proper. 1938/1 in the East Church 4/7 19 - Park Roaden - Robenths. See Duntine

Gymnogyps californianus April 1, 1946 Fillmore, Cal. were much preferred to coyote, Shelby said. He said that normally ever buzzards would not eat coyote carcasses. His impression was that the condors liked carcasses, a little smelly rather than fresh. At one time in late spring he said he saw 26 over his scrap pile - mostly in the air - and took pictures of them with an 8mm. movie camera. He gave the film away with the camera & projector when he sold it, he said. Once a horse was put out for bait & Bawland hid in a blind nearby - the condors paid no apparent attention to the bait. Greenwald said that he saw 19 condors over Libre Mtn. in (19?) & that deer hunters were shooting at them. He said he saw one in a tree in San Luis Canyon near Fallbrook or Palas in 1938 (San Diego Co.). Neither warden professed to know much of condors. Both are about 35 years old & fairly intelligent. Shelby said that he was impressed with the condor's keen eyesight as shown by the fact that often when he was at the foot of the grade looking up at Honey Ridge he saw no condors up there, yet by the time he got to the ridge top there would be from 2 to 36-7.6 birds. He had seen not over 6 or 8 on the ground, feeding, at one time, he said.

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus April 1, 1946 Fillmore, Calif. Sometimes condors would feed when he was only a couple of hundred feet away in his pickup, Shelby said. Greenwald had also seen condors in the Big Pine Mtn. area. He thought the birds were no longer in the Condor Sanctuary (Falls Canyon) area. Neither Shelby nor Greenwald had ever heard of anyone being arrested for shooting a condor or taking an egg. Greenwald thought Sid Peyton had a condor egg taken long ago - he had seen bird eggs but not a condor egg however. Shelby said that over Tony Ridge became a favorite place for army fliers to practice, & he believed this activity caused the birds to leave the area. He & Greenwald both said they had seen condors at Oak Mtn. lookout (at E. end of Oak Ridge). April 2, 1946 Ventura C., Calif. Sky 4/10 cumulus; warm spring day. I drove southward from Fillmore through Monrope and Newton oaks. The rolling grassy country was largely planted & but few cattle were seen. I saw thru Calabasas & down Old Topanga Canyon to visit W. Lee Chambers on Robinson Road. He gave me his egg list & condor letter regarding eggs for my use. About the Santa Monica Mtns. he said that two years ago about April 1, he and his wife saw 2 near Tapia Ranch. The

(no.) - 428413 70k no. - 428413 "No, you don't have to be so..." "I'm not gonna let you do this!" "What are you talking about?" "You're crazy! You're out of your mind!" "No, I'm not. I know what I'm doing." "Then why did you say that?" "Because I wanted to. Because I needed to." "But why now? Why today?" "Because it's the only way. The only way out." "No! No! No!" "Yes, yes, yes. Yes, yes, yes." "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." "It's okay. It's all right." "I love you. I always have." "And I always will." "Forever and ever." "Until the end of time." "Always." "Love," "[illegible]"

Gymnogyps californianus April 2, 1976 Topanga, Calif. Bird, he said, stayed about for several days. Mr. Appleton of Simi also saw cardors in this region not long ago, Chambers said. The earliest egg record (April 1854) as recorded in the Ollis, was of an egg from Santa Monica Mtns. The locality Tularcitos is near the junction of highway 101 with Ventura-LA County line. This spot was the collector headquarters. WLC has a letter in his files regarding this egg. Another egg was taken from Cincial Cay on the west me B. of it near Lochuso Point near the coast in S. Ventura Co.. A little girl collected this as it is said. Chambers believes cardors have left Santa Monica Mtns. area because the food is gone (me too - also too "civilized""). The birds here are just visitors from the "pine" country. Chambers had not heard of Turesdole's dislike of the Cooper Club because Chambers pronounced 2 eggs taken by Turesdole as phony (because of lack of rough texture, WLC said - there was much egg faking going on at that time too). Those eggs were purchased by Thayer & then sent to WLC - the latter still believes they were not cardor eggs. Chambers said these eggs were now at Harvard (white in color). WLC said he would take me to the

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus April 2, 1946 Topanga, Calif. falls where cndors used to bathe when I visit- ed him when roads were better. Chambers, said that Harvey Anderson of the county forestry dipt. was keeping track of the condor reports from lookouts & others in the Santa Monica Mtns. Drove then to Encinitas to visit Ed Harrison. Ed says that Sid Peyton has told him he has a condor egg and has been offered $750 for it by Tufts of Canada. Stevens (Larry) egg was really obtained from an old collector in Monte- sito for $25 Ed said, & Ed had offered him $50/$50 for it on the spot. The National Geographi cas a condor article written by AA Allen but no picture for it. Pemberton has told Ed not to let them use any of his pictures for illustration. Ed wants to have some of his kadschrones print- ed in the N.G. or elsewhere & is worried about someone else beating him in this field. He has a poor opinion of Dan Bleitz & believes he is only interested in bird pictures because of the commercial angles. Ed has was nice to the old condor nest near the aqueduct that Jim Dixon knew of. Permission to go on the property must be secured from Dixon & Ed believes he can find the spot if Dixon will not go with me. Griffing Bancraft can be found at the Canyonora

(signed) Violon Gm - E. Fano - 1928 8261 - I - Crans Aerdt, Dr. - November 145. 1. - Crans Warner HS - August - 70 07 - good - 60 May 15, '61 - 06

Gymnogyps californianus April 2, 1946 Encinitas Gulf. Club in San Diego after 10 a.m. any day, Ed said - he is deaf but not impossible to talk to by any means. An Andean Condor had been successfully hatched at San Diego zoo last year, Ed said. The bird laid on egg every other year. Belle Benchley could give me the inform- ation he believed. April 3, 1946 San Diego Gulf. at San Diego Court House talked with Mr. Ewing who is in charge of wildlife at the Cleveland Forest. Mr. Fisher is supervisor. Shamed Ewing & others some condor photos. He said he had seen one condor near Santiago Park last summer, circling overhead. In 1928 thereabouts in the Piru area, especially at the head of Violin Canyon x Canton (?) Canyon on E. side of the Piru he said he saw condors many times & sometimes on the ground. Condor reports are sent to San Francisco, he believed. I promised to send some prints for lookout instruction pur- poses. He believed the he thought that Palomar Mtn. lookout or the one near Warner Hot Springs might also be good watching spots. The forest would probably be closed in part this summer. Some lookouts - including Santiago Pk. - would be manned by May 15. Como was ranger station for Santiago Pk. area & I could

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus April 3, 1946 San Diego Cal. get permission there to enter the forest when it was closed. Irving seemed very interested & considerate. I did not meet the supervisor. Went then to the zoo in Balboa Park to see the South American condor. Arrived at the page at 11:25. Label read "South American Condors (Vultur gryphus). Largest of the vultures. Wingspread 9 to 11 feet. Only male condors have manes. The young male hatched here June 1942! Only condor ever raised in a zoo." The birds were in a flying cage about 100 ft. long, both adults perched on highest artificial rock point at upper end of cage & the immature was perched flat on its breast 15 + ft. lower. The imm. was faded brown in color with black secondaries (adults white on upper surface). Comb was already well developed on immature. I saw an adult take off several times, fly the length of the cage & land halfway back, then climb the rocks to the high perch again. The flapping was definitely more rapid than that of Gymnogyps & the climbing of rocks much more sure. Vulture walked with the spring of a boster & at a good speed (frequently nearly running) compared to Gymnogyps and was much more adept at climbing rocks without striking its wings on the rock or slipping, with each extension of springing up a rock steps the adult (?) gave a low pealike grunt (heard many times

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus April 3, 1946 San Diego (200), Calif. but only with the spring). This grunt was audible 60+ feet away. I saw the imm. peck at heads of both adults on several occasions & wrestle heads with them violently violently (more violent than gymnogyps ). The imm. forced a adult backward from the high ledge upon one occasion. Imm. climb ed rocks well but had a generally soft look to plumage. Adults frequently held bills open for several seconds as if to pant or yawn (a but breathing apart from exertion cool day so probably not panting). Imm. too opened bill wide several times before taking off on a short flight. Pairs of pairs of adult birds, & adult imm. flown, a second time I saw imm. force the from perch-no later retaliation. At 11:58 the took off after long pausing with wings outspread. & imm. also grunted when spring- ing up the rocks. These birds seem to flap much more stiffly than Gymnogyps-nearly 5 flaps per second I timed. About 3 or 4 landing flaps are taken by these birds. Saw a drive adult from highest ledge once. On perching the curve of the neck seemed quite distinct from the "crop" Jedge - J I did not see these birds puff their cheeks as a Gymnogyps often does. Neck appears to be less elongated than gymnogyps and broader, & neck somewhat

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus April 3, 1946 San Diego (zoo), Cal. ficker. Sometimes the ventral cervical apterinum was visible as a continuous bare area from neck to "crop" area. Crop patch nearly white in these birds. The imm. was evidently the poorest flier of the 3 & 4 black branches of the Gymnogyps growing in the cage when landing. The ? adult made many circuits of the cage as described but ? & imm. flew down to the lower perches & pool edge without soaring around the corner as the ? adult did. Back & upper wing covert feathers were much blacker in adults of Vultur than in Gymnogyps. Tails were spread wide when landing. Neck color of imm. dark like Gymno- gyps though down neck fuzzy brownish & lighter gray. Size of imm. similar to Gymnogyps though head shape different - bill, especially the lower mandible, larger than G. & "double chin" quite pronounced ( ). Neck seemed to be longer than G. but this appearance may be due to lack of the hackle ruff. Preying similar to G. I saw one adult scrape the side of its head on the rock as if to scratch. Adult ? drank, wading into 4 +" of water & lifting each head up after each dip as if to look about. V. seems broader across the back than G. - perhaps because they

[illegible] "Cat - quiet" "Food now!" "Ask about - past ago."

Gymnoops californianus April 3, 1946 San Diego (200), C.A.F. habitually carry the wings a little out from the body. The loose skin at below the is of course much greater than in G., hanging down 2-3 inches and flopping around with each head movement. Imm. did not have this. One reason for the S.A. success of V. over G. is that V. is a better flier in tight places & better as at scrambling up the rocks (judging from zoo birds). Bill gaping - probably used for young yaw, belch (?), panting, & apparently often preliminary to takeoff takeoff. O' was quite above the furry white goruff & had a V of skin about 1" long on neck in line with ruff on dorsal surface. By I watched until 10 m., then visited Mrs. Belle Benchley, director of the zoo. She said that the Andean Condors had laid an egg in 1942 and 1945. Both times the egg was broken by the birds & a second laid & hatched. The nest was a cavity in the large flying cage on level ground. These caves were built of rough cement blocks & this one contained a log. The entrance was hidden from view of persons outside the cage. The first egg hatched on July 8, 1946 1942, 52-57 days after it was found by Carl Koch, the bird

egg in egg. 2 cups each time. 45 + 45 9 July Auckland - 57 days - 1972 - to next year - at opening - ok! to have made - not seen food by mother's at father - at later stage requiring more after each requiring on ground & sun. reduced up & ate. Both out of car for two ~ if yes, Bath time. Bed time. About 8 am. little upon getting up 7 miles - add them - head down) larger with a or two. Down there is a around much. Don't cat. Ba. gun it when & large door size are (put) down passed over of (urban sleeping. or to back street. 2 years to urban sleep. Face + neck get red. Head down also become white. 10th Aug, 5D.) (Photo & reproduces 3605 7th Aug, McKinnon photos - 7 wks now. Van Pelt photo - Jan 7, 1943 - 6 months old. 1974 - father came - from Hagenuck. Age - just getting comfortable. (about 2 1/2 mo young) (date off) 2/1 '43 - about 1/2 - 1934, 0

Gymnogyps californianus April 3, 1946 San Diego (200), Calif. keeper. The following spring the youngster objected violently to the "love making" of the adults. It was sent to the National Zoo at their request in summer. No egg was laid in '43. Both adults incubated the egg, taking turns quite fairly. The father was seen to feed the youngster often but the mother seldom or never. Feeding was by regurgitation. When youngster was fairly large the adults would regurgitate the food on the ground & the imm. would eat it. Both adults did this regurgitating. The chick came out of the cave the last of Nov. or first part of Dec. There was no nesting material - the egg was laid on the ground litter. One photo by McKenney (former photographer) showed the youngster at 7 weeks. at that time it was all dark down. Picture showed bird with head down & tongue out like gymnogyps.. Chick was down on its heels & was said to have grrunted (Stott & Kerlepatrick said they never heard the old young bird make a sound). Another photo by Norman Van Belt (1034 8th St. San Diego) showed the youngster out of the nest on January 7, 1943. The fledgling was downy on legs & breast

here, grace & smiles. hasty when desired, Danny had fun that! calgando - et price here - 104! 19H - aurum - loto, from + T. - 138 - Deek - Bachy Ceylan - 2, 2 in Kount - delivered Cauty & made soup-pour pour numbers & for a year cagapan - two potfuls pour ' together now more numbers &

Gymnogyps californianus April 3, 1946 San Diego (200), Calif. then appeared much like a young E. The egg was white & about the size of a large goose egg Mrs. Benshley said. Another photo by G.E Kirkpatrick showed the imm. pecking at the back of adult when latter had wings out displaying. to Both ♂ + ♀ strut & hold wings out & head bent down but ♂ most. ♂ gets red in head & neck at this time. Kerk- patrick + Stott said the ♂ makes a "p" foot pup - pab - pap sound at the same time & drogs tail on the ground. When ♂ starts to display, ♀ comes to him quickly & responds. Wings in photo are out about 1/3, tips not lock as often in G.. Head is down "like a bass violin" Benshley said. About the adults: father came from Wagenbeck Zoo (Berlin) in 1929. It was just getting white on the back then so was probably 2 or 3 years old. Ruff was white & feathers not fuzzy. In 1937 the ♀ was obtained from Ecuador - it was about 1 1/2 years old then Mrs. Benshley judged. The birds are fed horse meat & occasionally a rabbit or guinea pig - about 3 lbs., as near as the keeper could judge tho of course other birds & cats in the cage clean it up too. When hatched the imm. was sooty

(John - may 12 May 6th) 30 yrs - Santa Marg - 4 hrs 'x page book your shot to moving camera to the other long - moving thing 15 yrs)

2985 Gymnogyps californianus April 3, 1976 San Diego (200), Calif. colored & had the male comb. The head was feathered from the start, Bendley said. The Calif. Condor which the zoo once had was very playful - a regular pet. It died from eating a strip from a rubber hose the keeper left in the cage. Mrs. Bendley said that in 1911 she & her husband saw several condors between Pine & Fillmore. Met Ron Stott & GE Kirkpat tick, the museum photographers (about 25 years old I judged). Stott said he saw 2 condors in Baldy Canyon near Claremont in 1939, the same year that 2 were reported from the Idyllwild country near Hemet. They said that the birds condors puffed out their breasts during display but no did not puff the chokes or necks. The noise of a movie camera cau ed them to stop displaying. The condors were quite vicious & attacked the photographers. Kirkpatrick said that when he was outside of the cage with 79 schoolchildren the f had flown at him & struck the side of the cage. Stott was bitten in the leg by one. On the display the birds waddled from side to side, walked back & forth, & occasionally turned around, they said. The second egg hatched on to about 13 June (found 16

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus April 3, 1946 San Diego Calif. (June 1945). The youngster was out of the cave well before Christmas Mrs. Benchley said. The condors pay no attention to the house cats, carcasses, red tailed hawks, other animals in the cage I observed. Visited Mr. Griffing Bancroft at the Cuyamaca Club (Union Bldg.) where he was playing cards and asked him about condors in Lower California. He said that in the last 20 years he had heard of but 3 - 1 at Navarro's Lagoon and min. shot at Navarro's Lagoon; 4 1 atop Sierra Juary (about 10 years ago). His wife had told him of never seeing any though she had done much work in Lower Calif. I asked him about condors in San Diego County - the last he had heard of, he said, was about 30 years ago on Santa Margarita Ranch seen by his son. He after affirmed that he was not trying to put me off but that the above were the only records he had of condors recently. Reference from Ed Harrison's library: "A study of the Circulation Periods of Birds" by W.H.Bergtold. The Kendrick - Bellamy Co., Denver, Colorado, 1917. of B.O.C. of Calif. Vulture. p. 21, wt. 320 oz. avoudupois avg.. Authority "Bede - Bull. N. Y. Zool. Soc., Jan., 1909, p. 466". p. 33, wt. of egg of Calif. Vulture (estimated W.H.B.)

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus April 3, 1946 Encinitas, Calif. 10.90 oz., authority "Knowlton, Birds of the World, 1909." p.7783, incubation period, 29 to 31 days, authority "Evans - Davis, Vol.III, p.52." April 4, 1946 Escondido, Calif. Drove to Escondido & talked with JB Dixon about vulture . Dixon sketched me the location of old nest on the San Luis Rey River as below: Cecq Ranch --> Lake Henshaw tunnel Barnes egg ST.R. River The nest spots were NW by N from Rodrick Mtn. top and close to the San Luis Rey River. A locked gate bars the road to caretaker's house - Dixon will lend me a water company (Escondido Mutual) key to get thru this gate. One can hike down the canal from

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus April 4, 1976 Escondido, Calif. there at one point one must hike around a tunnel, & it was up the hill from this that an egg was taken under some boulders. This egg was at San Diego for some time & was purchased by Barnes around 1912. This egg is probably at the "Chicago Museum". The last carda seen in that era was seen by Dixon in 1910 - it was flying into a narrow canyon across the river from the caretaker's house (non E side ruin). Dix- on's father had a homestead near this area in the old days. Around 1898, J.B.D said, cardors could be seen every day. Apparently they fed on cattle at the La Cusjigo (sp ?) ranch which was an old grant which included Roderick & Pine Mtn, south to near Lake Wohlford, & N. to the La Jolla Indian Reservation. Dixon tells of seeing buzzards starting around a cow carcass on this ranch. He walked close & heard noises inside the corpse. Thinking to get a coyote or bob-cat, he kicked the carcass, & out came a cardor - the bird had a "hard time" taking off, Dixon said. Only 1 egg had been taken from that area as far as Dixon knew - (the Barnes egg). Another nesting place was near a narrow place in the river on the E side near where the water under- cutes the bank so that bank overhangs. Duck hooks, & eagles nest near there now. Another supposed nest was at the west end of Palmer Mtn., but Dixon did not know its location. The cardors seen meant,

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus April 4, 1946 Escondido, Calif. the coast were up San Mateo Creek (N.E. of San Diego). "They" used to camp on the coast and hike up those canyons, returning to the camp in the evening. Coyotes were seen in 1907 or 1908 by Ditton in that area - he considers it a possible place for a nest. It is now in Camp Pendleton (Marine Corps Camp). Ditton has heard occasional reports from the desert side but questions their small authenticity. Ralph Ditton (J.B.'s son) has walks on the ranch near Es- cendido. He said he questioned officials at Borrego Park recently re coyotes - they knew of none in that area. Around Escondido Jim says coy- dotes were always rare - he only recalled seeing one, even in the old days. Ditton thinks there may still be coyotes in the Roderick Mtn. area. Albert the Finley & Ballman nest Ditton recalls the fol- lowing: this nest was found by Philip Singer who was doing some geological work & saw the adults feeding a flightless immature in a tree in Eaton Canyon in December 1904 (as J.B.Die- calls). Singer still lives in the Los Angeles area - an engineer or adjuster in Maryland Casualty Co. as J.B.D. recalls. Dr. J. Krumell would not believe the story because coyotes were infrequent in the San Gabriels even then. Ditton went to the place & saw the birds. The location & policeman shot

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus April 9, 1946 Escondido, Calt. a corder there same shortly afterwards & the papers carried quite a bit of publicity on it (against the shooting). Apparently the nest was not searched for in 1905 because it was believed one of the pair had been killed - Dixon Dixon thinks the shot one was the youngster. Dixon said the young bird could climb the tree using bill to help in Dec. 1904 - the bird was apparently flightless & was seen being fed by the adults, however. In 1906 Finley & Bohman went up to try to find the nest. They had decided it must be on the steep south side of the canyon. Dixon talks as if he were with them. They fired off a shotgun from the N. side of the canyon & the adult flushed from close below them (the gentle side of old canyon) under a boulder. Dixon believed he had heard the adults hiss at times. Van Rosem knows where the old nest site is & has visited it. It is about 1 1/2 miles above the falls & in the not a hard old days was quite an easy hike. Dixon thinks the Volcan & Santa Rosa ranges offer possibilities possibilities but knows of no nests there. In Lower Calif. he thinks corder as rare as here. about 1/2 In 1942, about February, Dixon says he saw one young corder near at the San Luis Rey near the mission flying NW. find Dixon Ralph

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus April 4, 1976 Escondido, Calif. Dixon knows hide well & has collected eggs but had heard no more of the endor in recent years. I drove through Fallbrook and Oso on up to Arana, Pomona, & Pasadena. The E. side of the Santa Anas is steep & brush covered with occasional rock outcroppings & conifers atop the highest ridge. Bought area was west of the Temecul District - near Trabuco Pk. area. For all prac- tical purposes it appears that the endor is only a straggler south of Ventura County although occasionally a pair may nest in the San Gabriel, Santa Ana, or along the San Luis Rey River. It is not easy to conceive of endor crossing from the San Gabriel to the Santa Anas although it might be done gliding at high altitude or working to the San Jacinto area & back to the Santa Anas. Perhaps then one go at least one pair pair a few pairs are more or less resident in the Santa Anas or San Pedro Martin. A few endor could easily escape notice for long periods - comparatively large numbers in the Los Potes for Forest are rarely seen feeding or perched close enough for good observation (except at a few known restricted roasts). In the Oso area I saw a few dairy cattle - the lack of food on the plain east of the Santa

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus April 4, 1946 Pasadena, Cal., Area is conspicuous - much more on the west slopes I believe. April 6, 1945 Hopper Canyon, Cal. f. Drove up Pale Canyon road leaving Fillmore at 2 p.m. Fog at about 7500 ft. level and occasional sprinkling rain. Met T. Wole & H. Hill at Parking Place. They had procured a billy calf near Patricia (for $3) and, placed the fresh carcass in Big Meadow near the blind there. They said they had seen what they took for 2 condors in the Big Cave area + possibly two others in trees. They had seen no condors nearby. Earlier in the day it had sprinkled & occasionally been foggy. They had visited the old horse carcass at head of Hopper Canyon & flushed a few ravens & turkey vultures from it. The fog closed in & light rain commenced about 3:30 p.m. Hill & Wole drove down to Fillmore & Santa Monica. I went to camp at head of Hopper Canyon. It rained & fogged. About 5:30 p.m. I visited the old horse carcass. There was a 12" opening in back of head & neck, an 18" hole around anus, & two 4" holes in abdomen. The thighs had been mostly consumed. Carcass still stinks muchly. There were many spots of whitewash about (100+) as from many

No text detected

Ford 1993 Gymnogyps californianus April 6, 1946 Hopper Canyon Cal. f. ravens or buzzards. I found no condor evidence save what appeared to be one condor breast feath- er. Coyotes probably have fed here & possibly condors as well as the ravens & buzzards. April 7, 1946 Hopper Canyon Cal. f. Cumulo-stratus clouds at about 7000 ft. and fog coming up the canyon at 7 am. I drove to Old Calvin vicinity & watched # 12 nest for about 10 minutes at 7:25-35 - no activity. Drove then to near Pyramid L O. Fog had engulfed Rim & higher clouds had descended to about 6000 ft. Temp. 54 F. I hiked to Big Meadow & observed the calf carcass near blind there. The calf was also a brown & white bull, originally perhaps 100 pounds in weight & was wired to two rim stakes. All the viscera were gone, many ribs cracked, the upper leg completely gone, & the lower thigh eaten. Head, necks, forelegs, & thorax were still intact. Tracks at the carcass included raven and cat (a large bobcat it appeared). I visited this carcass at about 9 a.m., then returned to Rim which was still fog engulfed at 10 a.m. Light W. breeze. At 11 a.m. I was at Old Calv. The cloud bottom was just above Rim level there & I saw two condors atop cliff at Big Cave and an ad- ult with feet down, approaching # 11 nest area. At 11:55 I was in Spring Canyon Meadow - sky cumulo.

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus April 7, 1946 Hopper Canyon Calif. stratus at Rim level, fair SW breeze. There seemed to be a condor squated in #12 nest cave. Tbird's finally showing is sheltered from above by an overhanging rock which protrudes 4+ ft [illegible]cave. At 12:20 I saw two circling & rising over North Point. I timed 3 circles of one at 17, 18, & 19 seconds. At 500' alt. they flew glided toward Old Colin, just under & sometimes in base of cloud cloud. At 12:35 I saw one adult perched atop Flat Ro. Occasional sunshine through cloud breaks. Turkey vultures soared with great steadiness near the foregoing circling condors. By 12:40 the perched adult gave. 1:05 I saw one circling ½ mile NE of North Point. This increased to 3 by 1:10. One spiraled near North Creek falls, feet down, but then seemed flight near North Point with feet up. 1:20 one circling over Arundell Ridge & 1 adult perched there. 1:30, 3 soaring over Arundell Ridge. One adult alighted atop a rock outcropping about [illegible]there 200 yds. W. of Saddle Pt. & a second landed (with 6 flaps) about 30 sec. later. Occa spirrilling lightly. One of those displayed, head [illegible], wings ↑ ↓, tail dragging but not spread. The displayer walked slowly & 10+ ft [illegible]away from other, then back, then out again (⊙), The displayer tracked away when approached &

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus April 7, 1946 Hopper Canyon Calif. packed at head of displayer. About 1:33 both one took off & 5+ sec later the other. Over The first alighted in Saddle Bs., the second in a green P2. 300+ yds further E atop Arundell Ridge. The former was off again within 30+ seconds landed. I saw at least 2 others perched in saddle bs.- clouds dark & solid just below rim level - occasional sprinkling, fair SW breeze. The threatening rain may have driven the condors to rest. I was watching from center of Spring Canyon Meadow. 1:45, 7 perched atop Arundell Ridge - 2 each in two green Ps about 1/4 mile W of #11 nest (possibly turkey vultures). Returned to old Cabin. Rim continued engulfed in cloud layers - fog & drizzle. I returned to camp at head of Hopper Canyon. April 8, 1946 Hopper Canyon Calif. I was about to leave camp at 8:15 when I saw 3 condors circling in the vicinity of the old horse carcass (about 200' above). About 8:17 I saw 4 birds perched on a rock ledge 100+ yds S. of carcass - there may have been turkey vultures - and about 5 con- (I thought I counted 13 condors, about 5 perched, but changed my mind when I got a better view later.) dove over North Ridge. Thinking that the condors were about to feed on the horse carcass, I drove to a point on the road about 1/2 mile E of the horse carcass. From there at 8:35 I saw two turkey vultures & 2+ ravens on the carcass. Two

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus April 8, 1946 Hopper Canyon Clift. swirled imm. condors swirled 100t 'over canyons & vicinity until 8:45 then worked S over the canyon. The early rising of the condors may well have been cased by the fogged-in conditions of last 2 days. Sky 3/10 cumulus, temp. 520F., breeze light or absent. One adult which soared nearly at 8:17 had a slot in center of right secondaries, a space in tail [2], & a #8 primary missing. Got stuck in mud, so I set out for #1 nest via ## #1 nest x Hopper Creek. At 9:10 I saw one adult circling just N. of Hopper Canyon. It had a slot in center of secondaries of both wings & a #3 primary missing. 9:15 - saw some or another there (300t' alt.). Started down the canyon. At 10:15 I saw 1 condor overhead. 10:25, I was below #12 nest in creek bottom. I saw no activity at the hole. Bottom cliff for about 2' below hole conspicuously whitewashed. 10:30, I saw 1 overhead. Cloudiness increased to about 7/10 by 11:15 a.m. At 12 m. I was below #11 nest cave I had seen no condors in the vicinity. I climbed the cliff and entered cave about 12:20 - the egg was gone but 3 fragments of shell (about 4/2 square each) showed that it had been destroyed rather than "collected". The points outside the cave were clean of whitewash so the destruction must have occurred some time ago.

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus April 8, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Calif. found 2 scats, black, one 3" long on the cave floor. No scours or other scat evidence here. I collected 22 +/- bone fragments of apparently old age from the cave floor. There were two damp spots possibly from excreta. The whole interior of this cave bears old whitewash to about 20" above the floor. The upper portion is pink - possibly an alga that thrives on excrement. Thus I believe this to be a much used cave. The failure of this egg may explain the mating displays I have seen near this cave after egg was found. Cause of destruction: possibly ravens. Perhaps adults broke it. Perhaps my March 3 visit kept the birds off too long & egg addled - very doubtful, else they would still be incubating a whole egg. No rocks larger than about 2" long on the floor +/- of possibly recent origin - the fall from the 4' high ceiling might break or chip the egg however. There were 3 or 4 squirts of old tobacco or oil colored excrement on the walls. The floor plan of this cave is about thus: Entrance to cave shaped: nest #2 mag width #11 18" occurring 16" above floor. Practical height 25". From cave entrance to rear (near rocks) - 49". I then investigated the slope starting 30 +/- below the next cave

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus Apr.18,1946 Hopper Canyon, Calif. and found most of the egg including the membrane still crawling with maggots & quite juicy. The egg had apparently been crushed but showed no evidence of raver or mammal attack. There were some bones up to 3/4

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus April 9, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Calif. Arundell Ridge. With telescope I saw 3 on this tree + 1 on Flat Ro., 100' away. One of the 3 took off- the branch shook violently & other bird on that branch raised & flapped wings to balance. 8:38I saw 14 total- 12 scattered from SE Canyon to Spring Meadow + 2 perched on Arundell Ridge. One circled 300' over old horse carcass. 8:41 one adult flap glided up the canyon to near North Creek, then flap circled using 4-12 flaps consec- utively, rising with the flaps, then gliding, the net result being an altitude gain. 8:45, I saw an adult atop a point 100' yds. S. of the horse carcass. This bird held wings up V as if about to take off. It then flopped down near the horse. I caused some disturbance then breaking brush & getting telescope ready for observation of that area. 8:53 saw an adult on the point S. of horse again & a few seconds later it was gone. It is probable that both yesterday & today my presence, even at a dist- ance, prevented condors from feeding on this carcass. saw 2 condors & 3 turkey vultures circling over White Cliffs, 3 circling over Old Colin, 3 over Big Meadow, 1 over Spring Canyon Meadow, 2 over Arundell Ridge. 9:00, saw 7 scatt- ered from our horse carcass to Old Colin. Two were very ragged having gaps in secondaries on both sides & at least 1 primary on both sides ('6 or more). 9:07, one circled above #1 nest, 2 over N. Rim, 2 over Big Meadow, 2 perched (one on Flat Ro., one on higher Ro. 100' away), 1 near Hopper

16:06 - 2 20598 08 - 4d overme 27 - 2 ad 100+ for the for N.P.? [illegible] 40 - 2od over - our paper doing it?

Gymnogyps californianus April 9, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Calif. Mtn. (8 total). 9:10, one step higher Ps. did w/d low & took off. One gone from Flat Ps. to (I believe) the high Ps. It worked over to other, flapping (imm. to adult?). 9:13 the last one took off from Arundell Ridge - none reached. One adult skimmed by 100+ from me. 9:15, saw 1 in dead Ps. at head of Parking Canyon - stayed at least ½ hr.. 9:20, 1 circling over N. Pt., 1 in head of Pyramid Canyon, 1 over White Cliff. 9:23, 3 over Old Colin & 2 over E. end of Arundell Ridge. 62° F. 9:27, the 3 were 100+ over me. One was a near adult with tip of #4 left primary missing; one an imm. with #3 primary out each wing; one an imm. with large gap in left secondaries. These decreased to 2 & circled within ½ mile of me until 9:39. 9:40, 1 adult circling over White Point. 9:45, on imm. circled close over me (#3 left sec primary put). 10:06, 2 over Old Colin. 10:08, 1 adult close over me. 10:27, 2 adults soared 100+ over me, then toward N. Pt., then circled back toward me & flew glided W., each giving one dips while wings flexed. 10:40, 2 adults over me without pausing to circle - one had gaps close to body on right side. These came from White Point area & I saw a third flapping - flapping from that direction. Light breeze, sky 3/10 cirrus, 66° F. 10:55, saw 2 about 300+ over Old Colin; they flew glided W. into Deep Damage. From 11:18 to 12:53 I witnessed an episode of "house hunting". At 11:18 I saw 1 adult alight in a small

No text detected

Gymnoptys californianus April 9, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Calif. (18?) pothole about 200yds. S. of a one ledge below North Creek Falls. A second adult landed 20' away, then took off & alighted in the same hole. became perched & flopped within 4 or 5 ft. of the borders. at 11:21 one adult took off. The remaining adult stood in entrance & twice thrust the neck out to prop at a narrow bowing place. at 11:23 the second took off and alighted in a 6' long pothole about 100 ft. further down the canyon in same big ledge and at joint to a water trickle on the rock face. The first adult was already in this hole. The heads were close together much of the time, sometimes close to the floor. Perhaps they pecked at one another's head. at 11:45 me displayed for about 1 minute. The display waddled from side to side as it walked back & forth towards away from the other unresponsive adult. Head down as usual & ruff down. 11:51 both took off, within about 30 seconds & soared over North Point. They put feet down when 100' over the point & circled down to near the same hole. at 11:58 they landed in a similar hole 100'yds. further S. on the cliff at same level - this hole was well whitewashed and about 20 ft. from a green ls. This hole was about 1/4 mile N. of #12 nest SIN next lower ledge. Here again the adults stood a long time, heads close

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus April 9, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Calif. together. At 12:03 an imm. soared over me - 12:05 it was 100±'over horse carcass. 12:10, 2 over white Cliff. 12:12, the 2 about 500'over horse, 1 with feet down. App- arently they passed up this food. At 12:20 the pair was still in the pothole DD facing in, & at 12:40 the same. I saw 1 land atop Condr Cliff about ¼ mile S. of the cliff corner. There was much flopping - it appear- ed as if there may have been a mounting followed by mating display (long distance & heat waves in- terfered). Two left that spot abruptly at 12:45. 12:48 one in the pothole displayed for about a minute. Both went in the hole. Much leads together. 12:50, both fac- ing out. (next failed - this way live the #12 best again) 12:52, one off, & 12:53 the other. They skimmed past #12 nest & over North Point & glided down over North Slope. 1:08 I saw 2 circling together 500±'above Arundell Ridge. 2:15, one circling 100±'above the horse carcass. 2:18 two others from N. joined there at 200±'. 2:21, one of the 3, an adult with ragged tail & secondaries & #5 left primary short (right missing), circled above me briefly. Other two disappeared. Sky clear; breeze faint or absent; 60° F. 3:05, 2 ad. ults & an imm. soared E. over the Rim near me. One circled (2 circles, 15 sec. each). They rose over North Point area. One adult had feet down. Imm. had a slot in outer secondaries. Adult secondaries ragged. 3:07, 4 now - 1 glided toward Arundell Ridge

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus April 9, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Calif. +3 toward White Point (where lost). 3:10, 5, apparently from N., over N. Ridge area - 3 from Small Mdw. Pass joined at 3:14. Air calm. 3:15 - saw 2 more at about 5000' level beyond NE Rim. Most glided slowly toward Big Cave area. Saw one close another, twisting in a fast glide. 3:19, 7 circling 500+' above Big Cave area. 3:20 two adults circled over North Point, one with feet down. The same nest #12 next 4 to vicinity of North Creek Falls (at cliff top level) then broke over North slope (3:25). "Return time" about 3:15 today. 3:40, 4 circling over North Ridge and 1 over White Point. 3:45, I saw 7 circling at about 4500' level & 3 over White Cliffs (10 total). 3:55 two adults over North Point descending south- ward. 4:00 - two (same?) headed W. over Old Colin, circled & rose to 500+', then split up, one being over North Ridge at 4:07 & other ?. I walked toward Old Colin to view Big Cave area. At 4:27 I saw 3 over Small Meadow Pass entering Hopper Basin - 4 and at least 5 circling close to Big Cave. 4:38 I saw 2 perched on 41m ledge. Whitewash Ledge, 1 atop cliff over Big Cave, 2 atop Roost Tree, & at least 3 circling near there. The two atop tree flew to ciff, one landing in pothole & 1 on an open ledge. I looked straight into #12 nest - sun was shining in & it was apparently empty. This fact plus seeing no activity there today while especially watching for it leads to the conclusion that the nest has failed. 4:45 at least 8

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus April 9, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Calif. perched at Big Cave area but frequent shifting. saw an adult leave fast of pool. 4:55, at least 1/2 at Big Cave area & much shifting still - 1 atop lost tree, now at pool, 1 circling fut down, 5 on whitewash ledge, 2 on ridge over cave, 7 atop cliff (2, 2's). 5 p.m. - also 1 adult flat on top branch of Flat Ro. & another circling above W. West Ridge. Light breeze still, smokey haze in deep Canyon. So - at least 15 condors seen. Returned to base camp. April 10, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Calif. At 7:25 I was in car blind about 1/4 mile E. of the horse carcass. 3 ravens & 3 turkey vultures were feeding on the carcass at that time. Sky clear, fair E. breeze, very dry 54°F. 7:55, 6 ravens & 5-6 turkey vultures constantly at carcass - occasionally a t. v. pecked at a raven & drove it back. I saw 1 adult - then 2 adults & we min. at 7:58 - over the Rim SW of carcass. They soared 100 ±' above the brush & rocks to N. rim, than cut back & skimmed 50 ±' above rocks near the carcass (8:03). 8:09, the 3 skimm'd 30 ±' over the carcass, min. especially close, but not down, min. following pair. 8:12, one adult alighted atop the rock point about 50 yds. S. of the carcass, 4 min. beside it. Ravens & t.'s continued feeding. The min. launched to edge of the cliff almost imme- ediately & by 8:15 was (?- down near carcass?). Neither dist was landed. Adult stood alone, puff ups. A turkey

21 - of. edg., book

Gymnogyps californianus April 9, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Calif. vulture passed 10+ over the sandor - cardon gave a casual look at meat. 8:21 the adult flapped about 10' to cliff edge & stood with feet wide apart & reared kneeling about in all directions. 8:23 imm. slighted 6+' from adult, adult flapped down to carcass & walked to abdomen side. Pecked gingerly at abdomen, rais ing head between pecks. At imm. saw 6+ 's of carcass one at 9:25. Raven & turkey vultures continued to feed. 8:27 adult hopped atop carcass & 1 turkey vulture flushed from far side (only t. w. left). Raveins + imm. out of sight to w. of decked momentarily. 8:28, adult apparently took off carcass. imm. was already gone without having pecked at the carcass & adult flye glided low over rocks leading N. into Pin drainage. Apparently the adult looked the place & found it unsatisfactory. Ruff was down while feeding. Adult was standing up, not on heels, while pecking at carcass (abdomen). 8:35 - must have been another adult skimming off - I saw adult + imm. walk into view near the carcass. 8:36, adult stop carcass or heels, reaching down to abdo- en & pecking gingerly. 2 ravens about 4' from adult, driving up the food feeding. Saw red Peyton's pickup park about 10 mile W. of carcass. Just after out of sight from it. 8:38, adult had pecked from abdomen side for 2+ minutes, then hopped on top again. Peyton's truck arrived at my car with Sidney, and Donald Peyton. They parked

Gymnogyps californianus April 10, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Calif. Near me walked over to my car in full view. The adult continued feeding. Beytone left at 8:48. Adult flushed about 8:51 - apparently frightened by truck - and soared S. down the canyon. Car was 1/4 mile from carcass. Buzzards had been soaring close over the adult but only soared fed with the raptor. The buzzards slighted a few seconds after car left. Adult had been pecking at neck area from S. side of carcass when truck left me - adult had stopped feeding then. It did not circle back near carcass but went apparently straight down canyon, whereabouts of the imm. unknown. 8:57, 2 adults soared 200' over the carcass - not the same pair as earlier today (one earlier adult had 2 gaps in right wing, #1/2 primary + another gap). 9 a.m. - 4 adults soared N. over Rim W. of carcass & joined the other 2 over N. Rim. The carcass Beytens were probably hunking up the Rim W. of carcass by now. 9:04, the carcass crawling with about 10 buzzards and one fuzzy headed imm. raptor stood calmly 10' away (same imm. doubleters). Adult 100' + on imm. soared 200' over carcass. The imm. edged around the carcass at about 10' distance, hesitantly as if afraid to go in with the mass of turkey vultures. An adult raptor soared 50' above the horse carcass (9:08). My view partially obscured so couldn't locate the imm. - not feeding however.

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus April 19, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Calif. 9:19 two adults flew glided 300±' over carcass looking E. The carcass monopolized by about 12 constantly shifting flopping jostling turkey vultures - about 6 ravens kept in the background by them. 9:30-67°F, fair E. wind. I had seen no more sign of the immature near carcass. 9:40 I again saw the imm. about 15' N. of carcass - a raven landed near it & imm. seemed backed up. It seemed to be looking "hopefully" or "longingly" at the carcass. This appeared to be a one year old bird - some white at tip secondary coverts. Apparently a young condor is below a group of turkey vultures in "peck order". 9:43, the imm. standing 10±'s. of carcass facing it. Imm. ran at a raven which perched near it - raven retreated. About 5 Buzzards & 5 ravens now on carcass - much quieter than before. 9:30 the imm. flapped 50±' W. of carcass - out of my sight behind bushes. 9:55 the imm. stood about 5' s. of carcass and danced around NW of it, then N. of it by 9:57. Wings up & flapped some in soaring flight apparently very easy on this last windy day - excellent soaring conditions it appears. 10:05 the imm. walked around near (E.) end of carcass & stood 10±' s. of it again; about 5 turkey vultures & 4 ravens still fed. 10:22 the imm. appeared 15±' to NW of carcass, then flapped atop a boulder about 20' W. of it, nearly "falling on its face" in landing.

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus April 10, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Calif. The underparts of this bird seemed quite downy - light areas (down probably) at tops of tarsus & sternum - doubtless a 1945 youngster & smart enough to find some food by following adults. 10:28 a raven hounded over the youngster, swinging from side to side. The youngster wobbled from side to side with the raven and twice reached up with open bill toward the raven. 10:39, now only 3 ravens and 1 turkey vulture at the carcass. Imm. left its boulder perch (out of sight again). 10:38 all the birds left carcass - I saw two imm. condors in air close to carcass; they circled low over #1 nest camps, then down the canyon. The ravens were back on carcass within a few seconds. 10:41 I saw an adult soar down canyon via some route - perhaps it caused the alarm. I supposed the imm. had left carcass area. Turkey vultures back on carcass by 10:43. I went to the carcass & took photos of it. The neck & rear end were almost completely gone - the windpipe exposed. There were hundreds of flies on the carcass. About 12:00 the puyton boys returned - they had not found the duck hawk's nest at Whitacre Pk. nor seen any condors after leaving Hopper Canyon. We hiked down the road & along cliff top to Big Cave top (arrived about 1:25). Condor tracks thick in the wet sand there & the pool full of fallen flowing. The tracks went back to about 75' from falls brink. We collected a set of duck

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus April 10, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Cal. f. Rook eggs from W. face of St. Catherin Cliff, then returned to the falls (2:30). We saw 1 adult on Whitewash Ledge there. It took off when we were about 300' from it & walking parallel at 50' higher level - the adult soared straight down the canyon. At 2:35 we saw 3 adults and one ragged dark immature scattered overhead. We continued on up to road & drove to Fillmore. Met Ed Harrison near Pete Logan's & took him to Fillmore with me. At Pete Logan's met talkative old Herman Keene. He said that 50 or 60 years ago there were 4 large sheep ranches be- tween the Geep & Wheeler Canyon & that he had seen at least 100 condors then & that they roosted in Pine & Caldwater Canyon. He was going to set his traps near Whitewash Pk. - he said that he had caught 2 lions in all in that area. At 4:55 I saw 2 condors soaring E. over Pole Canyon near Oat Mtn. - a late return time, but good soaring conditions right & plain this. April 11, 1945 Hopper Canyon, Cal. f. With Ed Harrison drove to Parking Place on Hopper Rim. He had brought a stuffed Doe deer - stuffed in lying dead position, with glass eye - quite realistic looking - from Los Angeles. We placed this about 80 ft. N. of the blind in Big Meadow and wired it to a stake, then entered the blind at 2 p.m. We had seen no condors up to this time. A very clear day - and warm - with fair E. wind.

(illegible) 000 0 14/2/93

3010 Gymnogyps californianus April 11, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Coli. P. Of the calf Walker Hill put out last April 6, only one leg remained. The grass was somewhat trampled thereabout but there were no fragments or feathers to indicate that crows might have been there. Apparently good soaring conditions today. 67° F. at 3 p.m. There were a few flies on the doe for had replaced the old calf by under it. May 5/10 corvidus & breeze light by 4 p.m. At 4:15 I saw at least 2 crows soaring back & forth near Big Cave & alighting in potholes or on ledges there. We left blind at 4:30. At 5 p.m. from Old Cabin I counted at least 5 crows - 1 adult atop Flat Pt., two on Roost Tree, & the others on cliffs & ledges at Big Cave. Returned to base camp. April 12, 1946 also Hopper Canyon, Coli. P. Our calm overcast with stratus clouds. Neither sunshine nor wind - so poor soaring conditions presumably. We went to North Point to investigate the #12 nest cave there. At 8:15 I saw 2 crows on Roost Tree. Below the nest cave in the brush scattered over about 20 ft. I found fragments of the egg - about 1/3 of total loss. Also I found 4+ bone pieces which may have come from nest. Finally descended to the cave but because of overhang could not get in. The entrance was about 18" wide at base, narrower above, D shaped. It was about thus in floor plan O, there.

5 a.m. of a man.

Gymnogyps californianus April 12, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Calif. minimum depth being about 4 ft. The floor was level and mainly of fine rock chips rather than fine sand. Scattered on the floor was egg shell fragments of about half an egg. I saw no rock which might have dropped in it. This circumstance indicates that the egg was broken in the nest - the same thing which happened to #11 nest. Found one wing feather below the nest and one on slope beside it. The cliff proved to be about 75 ft. high & the nest cave halfway down. At 9:45 we left the site (Ed Karnian & I). We saw 1 condor perched on Arundell Ridge then. Had seen none in air - but did see a few turkey vultures in very steady flight. By 10:30 a fair W. breeze. By 10:45 we were in the blind at horse carcass. I set out the stuffed doe about 100 ft. from blind on open road, about 20 ft. from the steaming horse. No ravens nor turkey vultures were at the horse carcass. By 12:00 overhead (about 3/4 of a mile) slay hazy but not overcast, 56°F. in cave blind, fair breeze. 12:55, a black-billed magpie pecked at spills of horse carcass. Earle on ravens pecked for a while. Both apparently frightened by camera noises, Neither gave the stuffed doe more than a glance. 1:38 - we saw two condors soaring about 1/2 mile SE & 300' above boat level. 1:40 - 4 condors about 1/2 mile S.

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus April 12, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Calit. of carcass (5 at 1:41) circling. These condors - no onypthers- see did not come near carcass by 3:30. One turkey vulture flew close once but more slighted. I do not believe any condor saw the stuffed deer today. We left blind about 3:40+ drove to near Old Cabin. From there at 4:15 I saw at least 4 condors flying about the cliffs at Big Cave & at least one on ledge at same time (5 or total). Saw 2 perched on Flat Ps. & a nearby Ps. also - so 7 total at least. Breeze still fair from W. & sky clear over head. Returned to base camp. April 13, 1946 Clear morning, light breeze by 7 a.m. - should be good soaring today. At 7:30 a.m. Ed Hanson & I were in cave blind at old horse carcass. We set the stuffed doe about 20-30's E of the horse. Two turkey vultures were perched in a tree 20/100t yds. E. of horse carcass. Carcass was mainly maggot and slop inside now though hide still mostly intact. By 8a.m. 4+ ravens had pecked at horse carcass & 5 turkey vultures were perched about 50 yds. from carcass. 9:30 - one turkey vulture slighted close to horse carcass, but others left without approaching. The comparatively large member of turkey vultures, ravens, & some condors which fed or approached the horse car

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus April 13, 1946 Hopper Canyon Cal. ass a few days ago was probably caused by preceding bad weather which prevented feeding & drought or hunger. We left blind about 10 a.m. About 10:10 I saw 4 condors soaring N. about 1/2 mile E. of horse carcass - 3 headed on toward the Agua Blanca, the fourth turned back S.. we went to camp then drove down the road a ways then hiked to Big Cave arriving about 11:30. At 11:05 I saw one over North slope. At 11:30 one was flying gliding 300' overhead when a duck hawk attacked it. The duck hawk made 6 success ive attacks from above the condor. The condor man flew glided fast toward Arundell Ridge & each time the hawk approached the condor twisted vertically, wings strongly flexed [illegible], so that side was presented to hawk. The condor snapped down immediately to level position after each twist - to the naked eye the motion looked like a complete "snap roll" but actually the condor did not turn over. The duck hawk desisted near Arundell Ridge. The condor flap glided & descended para llel to Arundell Ridge. This action commenced about 3/4 mile NE of the duck hawk's nesting site. At 12 m. Ed & I were in my tent blind 100' SW of lip of falls atop Big Cave. Sky was

No text detected

Gymnogyps californicus April 13, 1946 Hopper Canyon Cliff 7/0 immatures by then, the clouds having formed since 10 a. m. at about 6000 ft. level. At 1:05 one adult alighted on a ledge below Whitewash Ledge + 3 ± min. later soared toward Roost Tree (not visible). At + 1:08 another adult spiraled over us, feet down, & alighted on Whitewash Ledge. An imm. cir- cled over Big Cave for 5 ± minutes then departed. The perched adult had cheeks puffed out (not red) and ruff up high. Ed photo'd this bird in 35 mm. About 1:40 this adult left & (some?) lit in a shaded pothole 40 ±' below the former perch. The bird moved head every 5 sec. or less as if looking about. At 68° F, 1:47 the adult took off as if toward Roost Tree. 2:55, one imm. alighted atop cliff over Whitewash Ledge. It scratched head by squatting down & scraping sides of head on rock several times. Two other immatures alighted 10 ±' from the first - these wrestled heads a bit. One imm. flew to cliff top above Big Cave, then back to group 2 ± minutes later. At 3:05 07 there were 2 adults & 4 imm. within about 15' on the cliff top. Two imm. picked at each others ruff & head as if playfully; adults preened; other imm's. picked at rock by their feet. One imm. off about 3:09 & landed atop cliff 50 ±' N. of pool about 3:13, 3:18 a third adult alighted by other 2 - 3 adults & 3 imm. within about 15'

No text detected

Ford 3015 Gymnogyps californianus April 13, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Calif. and all quite calm. 3:20, we adult walked toward the immatures in the group & the 3 immatures & one adult took off (leaving 2 adults). One adult slighted near pool & 2 mins. in a single small pothole. The one near pool walked across the wet sand and about 4 ft. into the shallow (3±") water. It took 2± sips, then stood for 30± sec., then walked back toward cliff brink, out of the water, & stood looking about. The movie camera buzz seemed to make the adult attentive. at 3:30 the adult & imm. at pool (8±' sport) took off. There was a general shifting about and at 3:31 only 1(adult) remained atop the ciff while two potholes below Whitewash Ledge & the ledge over Big Cave were occupied. A frog had croaked loudly near the two at pool - no reaction noted in the birds. 3:49 the adult from atop cliff & one other slighted 40±' apart on Whitewash Ledge; an imm. perched atop cliff above them. 3:42, one adult left ledge & slighted atop cliff - the imm. left as adult approached. 3:45 - one adult atop cliff, one on ledge, 1 in pothole - an imm. slighted atop cliffover Big Cave (4 total visible). Suns mainly obscured by clouds; fair but intermittent breeze. 3:50 - the imm. off - we saw circling female N.g Big Cave. The imm. approached; adult atop cliff took off & followed; the imm. slighted atop cliff (where adult had been);

(=?) - d[illegible] off (at 1:30 p.m.) 4-5 dv. gaz. du.26 17-24 9+8 fou u strop drops as good as gaz. mrs. peck - broken out. color - calm neck, and rest parts 5:15 - oef kort 5 - best gift proofs 5:20 - 13 o'c[illegible] 25-24 (11 min., 6 ft.) :35 - 26 (12 min. ) :40 - 13 on 2007, 5 at 2h.20m.)

Gymnoptys california April 13, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Calif. adult landed there two flushing imm... another adult (4th) landed in a pothole 1/4+ mile N. of Big Cave - so at least 4 adults & 4 imm. present. 7:57, another (5th) adult spiraled in & landed in the same pothole occupied by an adult - one of the two flew out 5+ sec. later (5 ad. + 4 imm. present). 4 p.m. - 5 adults & 3 imm. visible perched; 2 adults together atop cliff over Whitewash ledge, 2 adults + 2 imm. on the ledge; - then others came in & there was lots of activity until 5 p.m. Until about 4:30 I counted 17 at once (9 adults, 8 imm.) and by 5 p.m., 24 (at least 11 imm.). Saw 2 or 3 adults and 5+ imm. drink. Drinking was by nibbling 3+ times at water, then lifting head up. One adult & 2 imm. took a fairly good bath. In bathing, the birds waded into the water up to heels, then squatted down with breast in water, laid head & neck in the water, & gave a sideswipe which threw water up on the rock & half spread wings. Ed photos the bathing. The immatures pulled up some green grass but did not appear to swallow it. One imm., standing in 4+" of clear water, picked a 6+" long twig from the bottom of the pool & carried it 5+' in the hillas if playing with it. One adult tugged at an

[illegible] 5:15 - 20th of April, 1986 [signature]

Gymnogyps californianus April 13, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Calif. old primary tip lying on the sand, holding the shaft down with its feet & tugging at shaft+ web. An imm. did likewise with same feather later. The adult carried this feather 8' (& across the pool) in its bill. Once I saw an adult display at another, walking away & toward, tail tail dragging but not spread- Ed got a few frames of this (16 mm.). At one time there were 4 imm. in the pool at once and 8 or 9 in or within 15' of the pool. The auto tent blind did not seem to disturb the birds - adults perked within 70' & an imm. within 50'. Both flew at times & stayed for several minutes. I saw one or more "one year birds"- a chevron of white at tip secondary coverts & gray down at heels. Some red eyed immatures had no wing chevron at all. There were several "in between" or "near adult" birds - the heads of those were fairly solidly covered with black so - but showing the adult coloration through the feathers - only the naker area seemed bare. Crown & occiput were feathered. These had the magenta spot ventrally on neck like adults. As to adult head coloration: the most reddish orange is on the rostrem. The skin area is most yellow. Occiput is yellow but

Gymnogyps californianus April 13/46 Hopper Canyon, G/lk posterior to dorsally behind the occiput the skin is pink, not orange - this pink area extends around the sides of the neck behind the ears. Bright magenta patch topped by light gray above front of ruff. The magenta patch bulges more than rest of the neck as if thinner skin. There was much pecking, head wrestling, & snapping between imm- atures & occasionally adults. In general there was no animosity between adults & immatures at the pool, however. They cleared about 4:45, at 5:10 there was a gust of east wind which could the tent blind to flop violently, at 5:15 all the cardors left the pool area, a few at a time, & other birds left the cliffs so that only 5 remained visible. This was last use of the pool area today. Perhaps the blind move- ment frightened the birds. At 5:20 I counted 13 perched; at 5:25, 24 (11 immatures); at 5:35, 26 (12 immatures) perched about the Big Cave area (on cliffs N. of Big Cave as I could not view Roost Tree or cliffs W. of the cave), 5:40, I saw 13 on Whitewash ledge & 6 atop cliff above it. Quiescence much greater than before 5:15 but still occasional shifts, at 5:50 the sunset line crossed cliff top - there were still 6 scattered atop cliff & 15 on whitewash

No text detected

Gymnogyps californicus April 13, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Calif. Ledge (counting points below the main ledge). 6:05: 4 left atop cliff (some adults), 13 on Whitewash Ledge. 6:15, 3 scattered atop cliff (2 or adults). Whitewash Ledge appeared: the 3 rockholes above cave were also occupied & two were on the ledge just above cave top. There was some shift about once per minute a more frequently (6:20). apparently none was crouched w/ head tucked in by 6:25 (59° F, no breeze), 6:30-4 atop cliff, 20 total visible, still frequent shifting. By 6:45 all had left the cliff top. At 7:07 I could count 17 on the cliff & saw 1 fly off. About 7:10 I heard one fly - the last to fly this evening. Stars out but fairly bright moonlight. At 7:30 I could see at least 8 on Whitewash Ledge. During the play around the pool & when birds were on cliff nearby I heard about 6 separate times a grunt which sounded much like suppressed human belch. April 14, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Calif. At 12:40 a.m., by moonlight I observed the cawing on Whitewash Ledge in apparently the same positions they had been in at 7:30 last evening - at least

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus April 14, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Calif. 10 were in the open on Whitewash Ledge, thus: Several apparently had their heads tucked in so that they appeared head- less, but most appeared to be standing rather than crouched flat. at 50.m. I saw 3 fly from the ledges & at least 1 land - there was some shifting. I counted at least 12 on white- wash Ledge however, & at least 5 had heads tucked in. at least 3 were crouched flat with heads tucked in. at 6:30 there were only 3 on Whitewash Ledge. One adult perched on a point on our side of the pool & sun- ned its back. Two immatures waded & drank at 6:35, at 6:50 there were 9 atop the cliff in sun- shine & 3 still on shaded ledges. There was a fair breeze from E., 43°F., at 6:50. 6:54, one adult drank by wading at water surface for about 4 sec., then rais- ing up for about 5 sec. - took about 3 drinks this way. Clear sky today. 6:58 12 in ledges in shade, 2 min. at pool, 6 crows atop cliff (19 total). 7:02, 4 imm. in water at fast of pool, occasionally drinking, & an adult next to pool. "In between" her pink sides to rock posterior to ear - occipital black continued down neck in this region ear 7:08-8 atop cliff; 7 on ledges where roasted & most roasted last night. 7:09, an imm. gave 10 flaps in 4 seconds in shifting

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus April 14, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Calif. perches 7:20 the 4 imm. + 1 adult near pool all flew at once as if in fright - 2 mins. alighted about 50 yds. (Probably camera movement.) NE of the pool on the rocks. I saw no cause for alarm. at least 2 flew down the canyon. 7:23, 5 atop cliff + 6 on ledge or cliff face. Sunshine now sp on part of Whitewash Ledge. Before 7:20 I saw one imm. perch at + carry an old feather near pool, + one pick up a long grass stem stalk in bill & then drop it. The bird went about 40' back from falls limits & walked about in green grass. One imm. perched at soil & plants atop cliff over Big Cave. Heard a loud suppressed belch when adult near. Adult jumped at an imm. near pool & imm. fled - I heard then a growl or snarl from one of the two, 7:34, 6 imm. + 2 adults (adults side by side) atop cliff above Whitewash Ledge - this 20' x 30' (approx.) slanting table seems a favorite gathering place. One adult there crouched flat at cliff edge f. 7:37, an adult & imm. sunned backs, wings spread, atop cliff over Big Cave. 7:40, 7 in sunshine on Whitewash Ledge - 1 adult crouched flat, all seemed intent as if basking in the sun. One adult still on shaded ledge above Big Cave. 7:50, 2 adults + 1 imm. of the 8 total on Whitewash Ledge are crouched flat; 8 atop cliff above these, all but 2 immatures (some immatures visible at brush at edge of rocks); 1 on ledge over cave as be- fore (adult) and 1 imm. atop cliff ¼½ mile to N. Alley

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus April 14, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Calif. clear, sun bright, breeze light or absent. Strange, ly, practically no sunning. Cords very quiet - quietest since sunrise - with no perch shifting for over 10 minutes. A raven was within 10' of adult, emin., & drinking cords this morning - no reat- on. 8a.m., 4 emin. in a buddle atop cliff about ¼ mile N. of Big Cave. 8:05, one adult stop cliff walked up to other & other retreated - this occured 3 + times until chased one was at cliff edge. Chasing adult de- layed a little muzzling with 2 immatures. Adult at cliff edge flew & other followed 30+ sec. Both they alighted on a point or in a pot hole about ¼ mile N. of Big Cave. Flight seemed very relaxed - sunshine but no wind (56 F. in blind). 8:13, 8on Whitewash ledge & 1 over Big Caves about as before; only 1 stop cliff over Whitewash ledge & 1 stop cliff to N. as before - 11 total in sun, only the 1 adult not in sunshine. Of the 8on Whitewash ledge, 4 were adults, one a near-adult, & 3 dark headed immatures. One adult & one emin. were crouched flat still. These birds mainly just looked proud lazily, seldom preening. About 9:20 one emin. left. 8:25, the 7 mainly preening quietly - 2 still crouched flat. Adult had spread one wing half out for 21 min. while crouched flat. 8:39 top adult on ledge left - one (same?) alighted on a 60+ ft lower point & stretched wings to sun back - right wing, using

No text detected

3023 Gymnogyps californianus April 14, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Calt. next to cliff, only half spread. An min. also left Whitewash ledge & an adult landed there 1+ min. later. At 8:34, 5 adults, 2 near-adults on Whitewash Ledge (dark head) + [illegible] 8:37, the dark head [illegible] left. 8:40, one adult summed back. One adult & were one near-adult crouched flat on rock. 8:42, another only adult left; ledge appeared: flat A=adult (others near-adults) [illegible] 8:45, adult still on ledge in shade over Big Cove as before, & a ninth bird (near-adult) was atop cliff 1/4+ mile N. of Big Cove. No vivid-faint breeze. adult flattened alongside near-adult pecked at the latter's head occasionally as if affectionately. 8:55, the upper right adult left & (same?) landed next to lowest adult. 8:55, a near-adult landed next to the lowest adult, & both stood quietly. One adult ruffled up the wings tail by shaking from side to side. Upper feathers & righthead apparently gone; Near-adult atop cliff to N. gone (9 a.m.). Ledge appeared [illegible] The 2 min. (near adults) crowded flat. 9:05, one adult flew into a pothole below Whitewash Ledge. Since the 7:20 scare there have been no cordoners near the pool. 9:10, of the 8 sandors visible, 3 are near-adults, others adults.

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus April 14, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Calif. 9:15, the 3 imm. left, 30± sec. apart. One remain- ing adult stretched right wing & leg down & back. The adult over cave on ledge did likewise. 5 adults only corms remaining in sightmen Big Cave. 9:20, one imm. (dark head) alighted atop cliff ¼ mile N. of Big Cave. 9:30, 3 adults on Whitewash Ledge (1 crocked flat) occasionally preening, 1 adult in pathhole, 1 on ledge over Big Cave (as 2 hrs. ago), 1 dark head atop cliff to N. Violet-green swallows constantly fluttering around the perching area - no corms reaction. 9:43, imm. gone from atop cliff to N. of cave. Between 9:45 & 9:50, all but the adult on ledge directly above Big Cave look off, 1 or 2 at a time, occasionally another landing. There were [illegible] in air above horizon before the close birds took off - the corms in air seemed to excite the perched birds. Breeze was light enough to ripple tent blind. The birds did not circle back near cave after leaving but 2 or 3 did alight briefly atop cliff ¼ mile N. of the cave. At 9:52 the long perched adult on big over the cave took off - none visible perched. We left blind then saw one adult swimming back atop Rose Tree. Ed took pictures of this & flush- ed the bird by approaching within about 100 yds. & saw 6 circling above N. Ridge, & 2 working their way N. that direction at 10 a.m. We were in the open

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus April 14, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Calif. and moving about within 1/4 mile of these last 2, but they did not investigate us. Rising time - 9:50. Temp. 60° F. in blind, clear sky, light breeze. We pre pared to leave Big Cave area & collapsed the tent blind. The sand around the bathing pool was a solid interlaced mass of tracks for about 70 ft. from falls brink. Water was clear sweet & running over the falls. The primary which had been such a "toy" had about 1/3 of barbs cut, pulled or broken off, & the shaft was crushed in several places. Pulled up grass was evident on the green grassy spots near pool. At 10:50 when we were still at pool, one adult came over, curving & passed 150 ft above us, & an imm. (dark head) came in about 20 ft. over us as if to land, suddenly saw us & started flapping violently, & flew on up Condor Canyon & over the ridge to East Canyon. At 11:15 we were about 1/2 mile N. of Big Cave & we saw two imm. spiral in to land on or near Whitewash Ledge. Ed whistled loudly a number of times and after 3 min- uts the two took off & circled over the brush below us (we atop cliff) before heading toward North Slope. We continued on & arrived at car about 12:15. At the horse carcass then I saw ravens but no condor - a little later I saw 2 golden eagles being chased from the horse vicinity by ravens. & We lunched, then drove toward Parking Place. Met a group of 5+ picknickers at Old Cabin. Did Peyton had also been up to look

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus April 14, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Calif. for a duck hawk nest at Whiteacre Pk. Later he told me he had seen several carsons cirking close when near the peak & had found a coyote in one of Herman Koenig's lion traps. At 1:30 we arrived at parking place & saw one adult perched atop the dead tree 60+' from road in head of Parking Canyon. I walked down the road past this bird without flushing it, walking at an uncertain pace. The adult looked me over but did not turn toward road or raise wings. I stood about 100 ft. from adult & talked loudly to Ed, some 100 yds. up the road - the adult then took off (Ed photog'd it) and soared directly to the highest dead Po on a step ridge 3/4 mile to SW and at 300' above elevation, Ed & I drove down Pole Canyon. April 15, 1946 San Diego, Calif. With Ed Harrison visited Caroll DeWitt Scott at his home at 2600 Camino Pradera near La Jolla. Scott gave me a 105 page manuscript written by himself called "Looking for Cardos". This book was written mainly for personal use & not for publication. It contains all of Mr. Scott's notes, speculations, ideas, & poems about the cardo plus information from correspondence and publications. Preliminary perusal revealed many excellent notes & ideas. Scott conducted a fairly thorough

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus April 15, 1946 San Diego, Calif. investigation of the San Pedro Martir some years ago and came to the conclusion that only 1 or 2 condors were present at best though formerly many. Scott came to this region in 1884 when 4 years old so is well qualified to judge the changes that have occurred in vegetation & wildlife. He has collection of Indian relics also testifies as to the many hours he has spent afield in San Diego County. Scott was of course very friendly to me & is extremely deeply interested in conversation of all kinds. Ed Harrison told me that he had taken about 20 trips to Cuyama Valley with Pemberton in trying to get condor feeding photos. On one occa [illegible] in they picked up jackrabbits alongside the road & piled them about the carcass - this was the day when the condors "took the sheep". The birds also ate the jack rabbits with con siderable relish. At Encinitas I viewed some of Harrison's condor movies. Of especial interest was a fine photo of a soaking wet condor walking from the pool stop Big Cave & shaking up its wings. There were some shots of perching on Whitewash Ridge too. One sequence showed an adult perched atop a Ps. near #2 nest with 3 turkey vultures

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus April 15, 1946 Encinitas, Calif. perched within a few feet. There were some casesteps of condor adult heads at the white- ace bk. nest - there showed the bulging cheeks of one well; a constant character separating the pair at this nest? It is believed by Har- rison that Bemberton's pictures have been shown so much that people are tired of condor movies, & Ed believes he will give his to some eventually museum for permanent record. Back to Scott: re Lower Calif. He believed Melling Ranch & Santa Rosa Meadows the localities of most reported occurrences. He believed it peculiar that condors were seen only in the high country there while they fed on the low plains in California. April 17, 1946 San Diego, Calif. With Ed Harrison I visited Mrs. Griffing Ben- croft who has done considerable collecting in Lower California and has a good memory. One one occasion they were with Tony Green of the San Diego museum and had a permit to coll- ect a condor. They were camped at La Encantada about 50 miles beyond Melling Ranch in about June of 1931. They killed a horse which had a broken foot for bait & watched it. There carters was a cow, at the other end of the meadow. This place was at about 6000' elevation. On

- Cooo - 1100 to p. Sleep & wake maroon, brown, & light rose! I used them, Kellid Jones, Our friend, about six! how - roast,- roast! - such 100% one saw no two? Seeing 2 sleep like. How 2 order with long even ear on left. Mr. Pelling said some from a red suit? said about 18. one of black somethings. At. June 31. heard of only 1 or 2 local people!

Ford 3029 Gymnogyps californianus April 17, 1946 San Diego, Calif. Day they were at a horse meadow nearly at about 8000' elevation when they saw one condor soar past. Mr. Bancroft had a 5x7 Graflex but could not get it into action fast enough to get a picture. This condor circled about 1000' over the cow carcass. Their time ran out & they had to leave - as they were leaving (about 2 days after above instance) they saw 2 condors circling with buzzards over the cow. Later Mr. Melling so told them 2 condors came & fed on the cow carcass several different days. The birds fed until they could hardly fly & a cowboy said he approached & almost caught one. By questioning the Bancrofts concluded that the con- dors were only seen at the higher levels - never as low as Melling Ranch (about 2500') and never more than 1 or 2 birds. The mount- ain tops here were 11 or 12, 000 ft. & snow cap- ped. The San Pedro Martin range is narrow, steep on the E. side & gradual on the W., Mrs. B. said. She has said she expected to see Mrs. Melling soon & would ask her about the condor situation & give me the info. April 18, 1946 Escondido, Calif. Talked with Jim Dixon Hanson at Escondido Mutual Water Co. (asst. to Jim Dixon). Hanson let me a water company key for use today in visiting the San Luis Rey condor nesting area. He told me

No text detected

Ford 3030 Gymnogyps californianus April 18, 1946 San Diego Co., Calif. that Fred Ballups of Escandido, a collector of eggs, said that he had heard reports from different sources of condors being seen in the Julian area. Perhaps near Banner Grade, Hanson & Harrison thought likely. Ed & I drove to Rincon, thence toward Lake Henshaw up Ouca Grade until about 2 miles be- yond the Palomar Mtn. road (new) and 1/2 +/- mile beyond the Mendenhall Ranch house. There we turned off to the S., thru a locked gate and drove about 2 miles to road's end at caretaker house at dam on San Luis Rey River. The old condor nest area was on S. side of river atop the crest 500+' above river, suppos- edly. In that area were many huge granite boulders interspersed in the brush & a few lone conifers (to apparently would be suitable for roosting). There was a waterfall 200+' above river opposite the caretakers shack - a condor could water atop top it appeared. Further down the canyon were other large rounded granite outcroppings along the river. We hiked about 2 miles downstream along the flume, took a few pictures of the outcroppings & terrain, then returned up the can- yon. Good condor nesting area, it appeared. One could look up the canyon & see Palomar Mtn. with its many conifers (possible roosts of old). We returned to road & drove to Pala, Bonsall, Oseri

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus April 18, 1946 San Diego Co., Calif. side, & back to Encinitas (starting point). This day we saw comparatively few cattle - most on Mendonhall ranch it appeared. For condors I believe the food situation here would be tight if they had to depend on small domestic animals. Questioned Mr. Wolf, the caretaker at the canal, re: condors, showing him photographs. He had seen none, he said - he had seen eagles however & told us of a nest location which proved out. April 21, 1946 (Easter) Sespe Canyon, Calif. At 6:30 a.m. left my car at Van Tree's gate & hiked up the Big Sespe. Arrived atop the oil Derrick at Oil Well Point at 8:55. At 8:35, from the trail, I had seen one imm. condor atop a high rock point about 200 yds. W. of the 1940 nest site. This bird was still there at 9:15 & appeared to be a 1945 young ster. At about 8:45 I saw a second condor (?) atop a rock point about 200yds. E. of the old nest site; this bird was gone by 8:55. The area I watched particularly consisted of 3 or rock outcroppings of red Sespe sand- stone about 700' above stream bed and 1/2 ± mile E. of (4 or 5. side) it near foot of the canyon which runs to Sulphurite. from Oil Well Point. The outcroppings appeared about: and were surrounded [illegible] & imm. by heavy brush. The #2 outcropping had lost

(50 - 1 E) / NW) 6m off. 53 - 2km Rnw to NE 55 - 4km off; on my Aut ph

Gymnogyps californicus April 21, 1946 Scrape Canyon, G.H.R. much of its whitewash at the center circle, but a larger higher point appeared freshly whitened (8" on logiam). A roughly similar outcropping 1/4 + mile further toward Sulpher Pk. had a few whitewashed points also. By 9:00 m., sky clear, fair wind up Scrape Canyon. Only conspicuous whitewash on the cliffs to E. of the Scrape was a ledge about 200 yds. N.W. of the high falls and 30+' down from top of the 150+' sheer cliff (ledge protected by overhang above). Saw no cormorant or whitewashed points further down the canyon this morning. The actions of the imm. atue I watched should be typical of a one year old bird. 9:31, I saw one cormorant circling low about 1/2 mile S. of Sulpher Pk. It gradually rose to 1000' or more, then headed E. in a long glide at 9:50. Another headed NW about 1/2 mile S.W. of Sulpher Pk. at 9:50. The immature had occ. asasionally preened. At 9:50 it took off, circled over the S. facing slope, & rose above the horizon at 9:55. At 9:53, two others circled above the ridge about 1 mile W. of Sulpher Pk. they worked toward the peaks, 100+' above the brush, then headed E.S.E. passing 1/4 + mile SW of the peaks (10:00 a.m.). At 10:03 I saw another - probably the imm. - following a sim. sar route to S.E. S. breeze continues - circling

"8"; "m. 1960, and 2007." N° 42 - 2nd. ed., corrected, by D. K.

Gymnogyps californianus April 21, 1946 Sespe Canyon, Calif. to gain altitude has obviously been above S. slopes. The falls at Oil Well St. was running well - it should be a good drinking place for condors. On the bluffs near top of Sulphur Pk., 2 or 3 well white washed ledges are visible - maybe not condor perches. 10:30, two condors spiraled down, wings flexed, feet down, & landed atop a bluff 50+ yds. S. of lip of the falls. At least one was adult. They alighted 10+ sec. apart, adult first, the adult remaining in my view but other hidden beyond it. The adult's perch & other rocks near falls tops were apparently not whitewashed at all, so probably not a frequent perch. 10:38- adult gone; could not relocate. Perhaps it dropped down to water, or perhaps soared toward Bear Heaven. 10:42, I saw 3 circling above Sulphur Pk. - they rose to 1000' above it, then I lost them. From 11:00 to 11:15 I watched one circling about ½ mile S. of mouth of West Fork - this bird made little change in altitude or location during this time; at 11:15 it glided W. At 11:15 I saw me circling near the bluffs just W. of Sulphur Pk., its shadow crossing the cliffs several times. At 11:20 this one headed SE, from Fair S. wind continued. 11:42, I saw two on the skyline atop a boulder at top of falls to SW of Oil Derrick. Apparently this was the

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus April 21, 1946 adult & imm. I saw land near there earlier to- day. Now the birds appeared wet. They preened, beat their wings in the air 5+ times in suc- cession (5 times in 2 seconds), + sunned backs with wings spread. The imm. had 3 left pri- adult shook up its wings once. preening. Both were sunning backs at 11:48. 11:49, adult flopped to behind a bush, out of my sight. Imm. continued to sun (sunning at 11:55. This is my first evidence of both- ing at this location. The 2 brothers + 3 seen soaring = at least 5 total seen today. 12:05, the imm. gave 3+ flops, then sunned back & wings again, preen- ing underparts at same time. 12:15, the imm. preening at same perch. 12:35, still preening. Birds which spend so much time bathing & preening can hardly find food daily,- or be very hungry. 12:39, the imm. retired out of sight. No action seen then until 3:20 when an imm. crossed northward near foot of the canyon leading to Sulpher Pk. This imm. circled & slowly worked up the slope, going N., until about 1000' above the ridge (3:29)-then another (adult?) circled with it for 2+ minutes and one (the second #) headed NW in a long glide. The other soared 1+ mile W., then circling 200+' above the brush worked back toward Sulpher Pk.. at one time 5 turkey vultures circled within 200'

No text detected

Ford 3035 Gymnogyps californianus April 21, 1946 Sespe Canyon, Calif. above this carder. The bird glided SW & passed about 1/2 mile W. of Sulphur Pk. (3:45), then resum ed circling. This bird had missing #3 or #4 primary in each wing - perhaps the min. I saw after bothing today. 3:55, this bird still circling - at about 500', 1/4 mile S. of Sulphur Pk., close to 5 circling turkey vultures. The turkey vultures circled about twice as fast as the carder. 3:57, the carder was at 1000' altitude, it headed Wt, turned one circle at two points, & passed 2000' above me at 4 p.m., then turned back toward Sulphur Pk., feet down. Then circled about 500' above brush, 1/2 mile SW of Sulphur Pk., feet up (4:04). It occurs to me that it is much more common to see a lone min. than a lone adult. It appears that there is no running carder nest this year in the canyon from Oil Well Point to Sulphur Pk.; probably there was last year. 4:10, the min. circled 100' above the bluffs 1/2 mile SW of Sulphur Pk.. I have not seen this bird flap or even flap its wings since 3:20. Saw 4:0 to 4:13, an adult about 500' above the min., heading SW. toward me in a long glide. 4:15, the adult passed 2000' above me. It wandered a bit, then passed back over me at 4:18, heading E.; the min. 500' below the adult. The adult glided out of my sight heading E. about 1 mile SW of Sulphur Pk. at 4:21, & the min. followed about 1/2 mile behind. Left at 4:30

No text detected

Ford 3036 Gymnogyps californianus April 21/1946 Sespe Canyon, Calif. Diked down Sespe Canyon - saw none on the usual perch points along the way. April 22/1946 Cuyama Valley, Calif With Sidney Peyton Jr. drove from Fillmore to Ojai, thence on the Maricopa road to Cuyama Valley and Cuyama Ranger Station. There I talked with Ranger Boyce and his wife & a boy named Bertie. The ranger knew of the condors & had seen some he said - but nothing definite. His wife said she saw one circling over a deer which was being chased by a lion (last year). The boy said he was working near Old Man Mtn. and had seen one or two there occa- sionally, the last about a week ago (1 bird). all were very much interested in condors & their habits. The ranger said there were no sheep in the Cuyama last year so not many con- dors. On the road to Cuyama R.S.D was again impressed by the rugged rocks & scattered crowns of the S. side of Pine Mtn. - perhaps there is no roosting concentration there be- cause of distance to food. We drove up the road toward Big Pine Mtn. from the Ballinger Canyon turnoff Road became impasseable because of many slides & rocks at the water tank below Choke-

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus April 22, 1946 Big Pine Lookout, Calif. cherry saddle. We left the car & hiked to - ward the Big Pine Lookout (leaving car 3:40). at 4:15 we were looking at Madulce LO from the # SW side. We saw two condors circling 200 ±' above the Madulce Ridge, & 5 ± min- tes later they were soaring E. Sky 3/10 cirrus, fair wind earlier today but milly 4 p.m. We continued on & arrived at Big Pine LO at about 7 p.m. No one had driven beyond so where our car was for weeks or months, but there were a few horse tracks & footprints. The forest had of course been closed during hunting season the last few years. Madulce LO had not been manned in recent years. At Big Pine LO we found a radio log signed Harriet Boyce for periods from June 1 to Oct. 31, 1945 - she is the one who supposedly saw a young condor being fed nearby. Fair wind sprang up about 8 p.m. April 23, 1946 Mission Pine, Calif. with Ted Peyton Jr. left Big Pine lookout at 6:35 a.m. & hiked toward Mission Pine. Sky 1/10 cirrus - status fair E. wind, moderate temperatures. We reached the big pines at head of Falls Canyon at 9:30 and sat on the slope looking out over Bunter Knoll in

12 - 5/0 at i - net 4:26 - 2 onpt ad t sm. down arm. 4:35 - 2 (r3) down arm P T hand (adnet) lonted pt. 1 (u-17 m2), the good. 140 - 2 ad off (oos). 145 - 3 ad. i mit day, smm, [illegible] and 6000 fur. 4:3 - mm off. One t can 't2 w. 5. reach pt 5 3.

Ford 3038 Gymnogyps californianus April 23, 1946 Falls Canyon, Cal. Falls Canyon toward Salisbury Paters. Below the Big Pine Lookout 3+ points seemed to whitened were well as if used for condor perches. We saw no white-wing or other evidence of condors roosting in the big pines at head of Falls Canyon. By 11:45 we saw no Lone condors. Went to Cooper Camp for lunch, left there at 12:25 & the big pines at 12:40 heading for Big Pine L.O. About 12:00 sky was 3/10 cumulus & cirro-stratus, & large light. Arrived at lookout at 4 p.m., having seen no condors. At 4:25 I saw 2 soaring near the cliffs ½ mile W. of the lookout. They circled & rose & at 4:28 perched on a point atop the cliffs. They were The imm. spread with wings. An adult & one imm. (with wing patches). At 4:33 I saw 2 (possibly 3) over the big pines at head of Falls Canyon, above the horizon, circling. I saw another adult land near the perched one (6±' from it). This trio stood quietly together, & at 4:40 the adults left (to where?). At 4:45 I saw 3 about a mile beyond the imm., circling, at 6000' level. 4:47, the imm. took off, soared ½ mile S., circled, & rose well above the horizon (the last). 4:53, two (of the 3?) circled about ½ mile W. of where imm. was perched. 5:00—I could spot none. Fair wind from NE; 65° in lookout; heavy haze in all directions. Perhaps the 2 adults & imm. were a "family" of 1945

No text detected

Ford 3039 Gymnogyps californianus April 23, 1946 Big Pine Lookout, Cal. from this area. Saw no more by dorks. April 24, 1946 Big Pine Lookout, Cal. at 7 a.m. sky 1/10 cumulus, fair east wind, 60° F. Air clear to W. so had good view of San Rafael Mtn. & could probably see condors there as well as over the upper big yellow pines in head of Falls Canyon. Would spend the morning watching from the lookout. At 7:20 I saw a large bird (possible condor) perched on limb of a stub on N. side of San Rafael Mtn. - gone at 9 a.m. Saw none from the lookout (with constant search) by 10:15. Then hiked E. along cliff tops peering down to look for condors or whitewash. At 10:25 I saw 2 adults cir- cling about 1/2 mile SW of the lookout. Continued on to about 1 mile E. of the lookout; saw 5 ± points on the cliffs or rock points on slopes below to S. which appeared to be condor perches. Many perch point possibilities, a few conifers for roasts, & many potholes & broken cliffs for possible nesting sites on S. side of the Big Pine Mtn. ridge. At 12:15 saw 2 adults part circling over a N. slope about 1 mile E. of the lookout; they circled in opposite directions & rose until 800' above top of cliffs, then - ?. At 12:45 we were back at the lookout - fair NE wind still, 68° F., sky 1/10 cumulus. Watched continually from the lookout but saw none until 4:16. Then an adult was seen

4:18 - canceled face off. 7:10 - od, 1 mi. E 2 mi, 20 - 71:7

Gymnogyps californianus April 24, 1946 Big Pine Lookout, Calif. approaching about 1/4 mile S. of the cliff point 1+ mile E. This bird had feet down - it spiraled down sharply, with wings flexed, twisting to one side then the other by bending the wing tip down (something like plane maneuver called the "falling leaf") and swooped up to a landing on a prominent whitewashed point about 100' below the highest cliff point (landed 7:18). Fair NE wind still, sky 1/6 cumulus, increasing haze. The adult occasionally preened. It stood quietly facing the cliff. Same at 4:45. 4:44, adult turned back, wings horizontal + tail spread. Back to sun. 4:46, wings folded again. 7:48, the adult took off & descended very rapidly with wings flexed & feet down, occa- sionally dipping wings, & at 7:50 disappeared be- hind a ridge about 1/2 mile SE and 800 ft. below the lookout level as if to land - this canyon not visi- ble from lookout. At 5 p.m. I left the lookout & went to head of canyon where the vander disappeared - there were 3+ whitewashed perch points on cliffs down this canyon but I could see no vander. Returned to the lookout. April 25, 1946 Falls Canyon, Calif. At 5:25 a.m. I left Big Pine Lookout to hike to Falls Canyon. Fair E. wind, moderate temperature, & clear sky - warmer & less windy than yesterday. I reached the big pines at head of Falls Canyon at 7:40

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus April 25, 1946 Falls Canyon, Calif. and was at the stream in Dead Oaks Canyon at 890m. seeing conditions fair - light breeze only in canyon. There I met a man who was in charge of a trail crew camped there. His name was Witter (or something like that). He said they normally worked 10 days & then went "out" via South Fork for 4 days. They had been in the league for about 2 months but had seen very few condors - about 2 maximum at a time. He said they saw 2 perched on the rocks upstream from the falls recently. Most trail work had been along the league as they were waiting for snow to clear. It had rained almost all month in December, he said. A man had killed a deer near South Fork Camp & they saw a couple (?) of condors circling over where they thought the lion had dropped the carcass. I continued on. At Bend Cliffs there was a much & freshly (it appeared) whitewashed pothole about halfway up the cliff on the fallsward side - no whitewash on top or or nearby rocks. 2 or 3 of the perch trees in side can- yons in the Ceder Sanctuary seemed to show some whit- ening as if used for perches. At 9:15 I was at the brink of the falls. There was a fast stream of clear water running. The prominent perch rocks about 100 yds. SE of falls 450+ above was uninhabited. There was neither whitewash nor feathers nor evidence of gorse eating in the pool basin, but on a flat ledge 7+' above the water level and 15+ W. of it there was about

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus April 25, 1946 Falls Canyon, Califi. 8 squints of carder-like whitewash & a fairly well white earl pointor cliff edge about 25' W. of falls brink. Several protected potholes in the main conglomerate cliffs had old stalalites of whitewash still, & 1 point about 100 yds. NE of brink & 15'- above seemed freshly whitewashed. Summing up: - there is still some use of the falls area for perching, & probably for drinking & bathing but there are at present only a few carders in the area. I ascribe this lack of carders to lack of food on the Santa Barbara & other Patrios & in Cuyama Valley. Snodden Ranch had many sattle, however, but mainly close to & in the foothills. Left the falls at 9:50 & hiked back up to trail (10:25) and to Dead Oaks Canyon (11:30). There I met the trail crew of Jim W., Duane Woolworth, & - Merley. Jim had worked as forest guard on Mt. in past years Adel, & had seen graces there but not carders. For the last 4 years he had been in the Sescior area around this time of year. He thought he saw more carders here last year than this. Unfortunately he was very loquacious but not much of a carder observer. Woolworth reiterated the story of seeing 2 men-the lion killed about two months ago and 2 or 3 "up above" (on the pothero side I judged). He said he saw 2 on the cliffs (my my "Bend Cliffs") about 10 days ago. He also said that in May or June of 1972

Woolworth - 2 mos ago, 2 near lion hill May 42 - 7a 8 roast m. BP10 - people within a few ft. No sheep in Cay or Cavi for sev yrs. 2 m. Alomar (quit).

3043 Gymnogyps californianus April 25, 1946 Falls Canyon, Calif. there was a couple at Big Pine Lookout & a child, & that several condors were perched on the rocks within a few feet of the lookout & could be approach ed within about 15'. Jim said he had seen two men above Saddle last year & that they had perched on a tree nearby. He also said there had been little snow this winter but in '43 (not quite sure) there was 5 1/2 feet near Big Pine after one storm. I lunchd with these men, then left at 1:10 & biked up the Can- yon. Fair wind, sky 2/10 cirrus & cumulus. At 1:50 Light I left the Big Pines for Big Pine Lookout. Sky became more over- cast; 5/10 cirrus & cirro-stratus at 4 p.m., + wind faint or nil, increasing haze. Arrived at 4:25 p.m. at Big Pine Lookout. Sidney Peyton had seen no condors from there all day- he said there had been there had been a W. breeze & considerable haze all day. Saw no more condors from lookout this evening. I recall that Jim W- told me he believed there were few sheep in the Cuyama and none on Carrizo Plains the last few years. He said the cattle were usually on the Paternos from May to November and not in winter. April 26, 1946 Ventura Co., Calif. biked from Big Pine Lookout (departing at 06:30) to Chokecherry Saddle & drove down Santa Barbara Canyon through Knedlin Gate to

No text detected

Ford 3044 Gymnogyps californianus April 26, 1946 Ventura Co., Calif. Ouyama Ranger Station & thence to Ojai on Highway 399. Between this road (near Ojema) and the Mt. Pinos groups are low eroded hills which do not appear to be good cattle grazing country. This leaves Pinos Mtn. rather isolated from any plains grazing country. April 28, 1946 Kern Co., Calif. With my uncle G R Budenigham of Delano left Delano at about 7:30 a.m. for a plane flight to view some Kern Co. sonda areas. We flew west to near White River then skirted the foothills going southward over Kern River power plant and Mt. Adelaide, thence over Caliente to Tehachapi & landed. Left Tehachapi about 0830 & flew over Bear Valley going westward, skirted the west end of Bear Mtn., then headed northward to Walker Pass Basin, thence over Havilah across Greenhorn Mtns. to near Glenville, thence westward near Blue Mtn. and on to Jasmin and Delano (arrived about 10 a.m.). We saw no carnos, but saw perhaps 800 cattle between Blue Mtn. & Jasmin in the low rolling open country - appar- ently excellent carnos foraging territory. Saw few cattle in other regions traversed.

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus April 28, 1946 Kern Co. Calif. In eastern Ammige Valley saw perhaps 500 sheep. Bear Mtn. seemed to have many trees suitable for roosting on the N. & esp. ecially the west side - conifers, some dead. If condors roosted there, Bear Valley should be a good frequented feeding area. Brecken-ridge Mtn. has a lookout from which con-dors should be seen if about (on the Walker Pass side). The Baker Grade area goes went through broken pale country & has no probable roosts - except Breckenridge Mtn. has best possibilities here. Blue Mtn. near White River also has a lookout & (a good condor lookout post). The low country of Tejan Ranch & north was very dry - perhaps cattle will be diminished in num-bers because of lack of feed this year & thus effect condor food supply. April 29, 1946 Ker Tulare Co. Calif. Drove from Delano to Porterville. There talked with Forest Guard Snyder (sp.? ) who said he had heard of no condors being seen since my last visit. except that He thought he had heard of Walter Craig of White River seeing some. I phoned Rosa Welchen-cadors (game warder). He said he possibly saw one with buzzards near Orange Grove

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus April 29, 1946 Ker-Tulare Co, Calif. about 7 miles E. of Borterville about a week ago. He suggested I visit the Coyote Spring area & get Jim Vincent or Walter Greig to direct me. Phoned Beuben Gillain's (old sheeprancher) place (512 S.J. st.) but found him not home. Left Porterville about 12:00 on this clear warm day & drove to to White River. Wind fair from NW. I saw about 600 Herefords scattered along in the dry grass rolling hills between Borterville & White River & saw 6± turkey vultures - plenty of prospect- ive cads food. At White River talked with Mrs. Greig who runs the phone switchboard. She had some interest in watching turkey vultures & other birds. She knew cads had white under their wings & said that 2 perched frequently on the rock outcroppings of a smooth grassy hill about 1 mile E. of White River. She thought they nested there because 2 were around all year from March 1 (1945) when the Greigs came there. She said they soared W. in the morning and E. in the evening. Two other children climbed up there one day & were frightened by the birds because they did not fly off when approached. The children supposed were well acquainted with lizzards she said & those birds were much bigger. She did not know about the

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus April 29, 1976 Tulare Co., Calif. orange head, however. She said she & her husband had talked about the condors, but that she had seen them most as she was he was seldom at home in the daytime. They knew--They knew about the condor Vincent had found. The hill where Mrs. Grieg had seen the "condors" did not appear to have suitable nesting sites - Blue Mtn, 3+ miles to SE, had some rough cliffs which seemed like good nesting area, however. Retrogressing: Welch said the condors "came in" about this time of year. Mrs. Grieg directed me to Marvin Vincent's place on the lower Vincent Ranch - to W. of the White River to Woody road about 3 miles from White River. I found Vincent at home. He said the ranch was about 17,000 acres with 1700 head of cattle. He had been in the area 26 years & on the lower ranch for 19. About every year or two they saw condors - or "Vultures" as he so knew them. He said they always seemed to come from the N. & depart toward the south. He recollects having seen none in winter or spring, & most in late summer. About 17 years ago they had many squirrels & poisoned many - condors ate the poisoned squirrels he said (about 17 flushed on one occasion). The Coyote Springs episode he again related. There was a steer dead there-

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus April 29, 1946 Kern Co., Cl. about 36 hours dead - but untouched. The birds may have been after the water. Many hit the fence wires (3x4 strands of barbed wire). They galloped along, flapping their wings heavily, to take off. This spring is in open grassland but there are low rolling hills- the water is covered by willows

No text detected

Ford 3049 Gymnogyps californianus April 29, 1976 Kern Co., Calif. The last 4-5 years (Quin Ranch for one place). Marion said the Cayote Spring area was apparently one of the most frequent for condors. I could not locate the spring from Marion's directions, but this "Lamer Vincent Ranch" had a few scattered oaks but was mainly rolling oat-covered dry hills. There were two high tension power lines in the area - possible condor boyards. I found a steer carcass 2 weeks old but no condor evidence near it. Seemingly condor movement to this area in fall would indicate food shortage elsewhere, but except for sheep in some areas, potential condor food is constant as to lo- cation (tho perhaps greater mortality in winter). GR Buckingham of Delano said he believed the Quin Ranch had been sold & that it was now in wheat instead of sheep - this tendency, if general, would decrease condor food supply. April 30, 1976 Kern Co., Calif. With my uncle GR Buckingham of Delano flew in search of condors. Left Delano at 9:45 & flew over Lost Hills to E. edge of the Temblor Range, thence southward at about 2000' altitude over the foothills - over Camas Rocks & other rocks, & over several hundred head of cattle - past Fellows & McKittrick;

No text detected

Ford 3050 Gymnogyps californianus April 30, 1946 Kern Co., Calif. thence to Taft and landed at 10:45. Thence re- turned to Delano over Butterwillow, Shafter, & Wasco. We saw no condors but a few buzzards - saw no carcasses. Apparently these rolling treeless cattle covered foot hills are favorable for condor feeding grounds. Near McKittrich the cattle gave way to grain & oil wells far or to a large extent. Sky clear, light breeze at surface, air moderately lumpy in the morning flight. Later in the day talked with Ranger Oran at Porterville. He said he had been told of condors near White River by Walter Lerig (husband of tele- phone operator there) and had seen them soar- ing high overhead there. He identified them by the white patches under the wings & he- lieves his identification unmistakable. Oran seems very genuinely interested in condors. Saw many cattle between Port- erville & Springville among the grassy hills (many rough rock outcrops too). May 2, 1946 Kern Co., Calif. To get a look at the squirrel country east of Famoso, I left Delano at about 8 a.m. drove to McFarland, thence east about 8 miles, then south toward Bakersfield. About 4 miles east

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus May 2,1946 Kern Co., Calif. area of McFarland I hit the uncultivated squirrel country. The hills were dry, gently rolling, treeless & brush- less, & apparently unused by stock. I could see several squirrels in any direction. This type of ground continued until east of Famoso, then oil development encroached. Apparently much more "squirrel country" to eastward. I saw perhaps 20 turkey vultures 1 or 2 at a time, & at one squirrel carcass. Saw one "poisin- out" sign east of Famoso. Continued on to Bakersfield. Found Bufort Fox not in, but the man mixing poisoned rolled oats said that poisoning was now going on in the Pico Creek district east of Famoso. I then went to visit Ranger Dick Droege (Greenhorn District) at 315 Naberfelde Bldg.. He had never seen a condor but had heard of them. He recollects seeing a condor reporting form sent to him some years ago but he had filed it as something not to be bothered with. He was very interested in the pictures I showed him, however, & asked many intelligent questions. The Oak Flat Look- out would be posted May 16 and Brecken- ridge Mtn. 20 on June 1 - he would be glad to furnish these with any photos or information I could send him. He said there were about 3000

No text detected

Gymnogyps californicus Kern Co., Calif. of Sequoia Natl Forest May 2, 1946 Head of cattle on his district but he knew of no sheep. I left Bakersfield about noon & drove northward on the Porterfield road which runs about 7 miles E. of Famoso, turned eastward up Little Creek for about 5 miles. There I examined about 8 sheep carcasses of apparently several months vintage. Some had apparently dried up in part, & about half had been partially consumed by coyotes, but saw no evidence of cardors. Later examined 2 more old sheep carcasses - carnivores again but no cardor evidence. Saw no ravens at all in this area. From 12:45 to 2:30 I prowled about the dry rolling hills - squirrels were absent from many sections as if poisoned. Saw 30+ turkey vultures, 1 golden eagle, & 10+ broad- winged hawks in the vicinity. Could not find the poisoning party. Drove northward toward Porterville again, then west to Delano via McFarland and Pasien. The Poison- Woody road. Sky 5/10 cirro-stratus, fair breeze. May 3, 1946 Bakersfield, Calif. Drove from Delano to Bakersfield & there talked with Bufort Fox and Joe Keyes. Fox had heard of no cow dors being seen E. of Famoso - nor Keyes - but both were sure they would be there soon. Keyes had been

10:32 - 4 1/2 hrs NEY/Kar Gumm 10:39 - 9 1 hour. 5 hours. 10:57 - 8 th - 2 on guitar etc. 6x more for some, 3T Van. great stuff. 11:57 - bad + 1 man at my gate, 37Y more in 5/10 of a vacation in 5 oz' ball, 10:11-4, 2 people, 3-9th & 6 & now 22. 10:11-4 bad + 2 - 2 through to end Bad + flung going - 8th's down of a wall 11:13 - counted 13 & 2 at close of hole (3rd team) . 5% out long, about 2 miles at road. down - flipped 15 times off + dropped some in cages. no on Friday, 7 mph 006 president. No 8/11/10 - mm-mom, 9th & 12 th way 2 2 dogs brought up, picked at ground pegs them a foot aboveground. Still No mm-legal - pinged off. +01 few (dogs no more 2001) bringing extending 100% another edge) not (7/24)

Gymnogyps californicus May 3, 1946 Nr. Famoso, Calif. writing the squirrel areas east of Delano, McFadden, & Famoso since tholluin was first used, about 1926. He had seen condors there during the poisoning, & seen the condors & turkey vultures eating the pois ored squirrels, every year. The most condorks ever saw at once was 17, & of these 7 were imm- atures (1945). Joe said up to 76 buzzards roosted in dead trees on Pozo Creek about 1/2 mile upstream from the Porterville road, last year, & over 100 in some preceding years. He had examined these roosts & found no dead or sick buzzards, in spite of the fact that they ate poisoned squirrels. Joe said the condors usually appeared about 10 a.m. and were gone by 4 or 4:30 p.m. He had no guess or information as to where they came from or where they went. Joe said the condors first appeared about May 20 of last year. At f One day he saw one, & the next 3, then 5, 7, 12, & up to 17 - in other words, they came in gradually. One time Joe shot about 6 cotton tails & laid them out in natural fashion near an old wooden shack near where he had seen condors feed. Joe got in the shack about 8 a.m. The condors came & ate the rabbits & Joe got some photos of them with buzzards standing by. The photos were taken from with a small camera & the prints blown up, but the adult condors were sm-

"8 rules E T N of formulae and no order - must count - was 107 yds + change, 1 large past at 4:30 babying again. It's much better than just one. I see the tempo begin to slow down about 10:28 + 45-90 secs and good for many 'every thing's no tho we're here. Did you get that off? the need above for a long run and p, if she can't 15 s may just go down. 10:32 + 6 second change have been & (2-4:01) yes, yes, yes! I must try again at 9.7 yes, yes! I need to try this off my head! now 10:32 + 8 sec and 6 mins', an addition to run in both legs (along & up your room & pass the thing's no problem. I've tried once & hung on long enough, N. of me, 12:38, an act to send 10+ from long chong much 10+ passing & parents jumping Roughly about just off 20' as a second done landed (12:39), then lost as the two ad. hanging out around (14:41) and, 5+ loop, two other 'off of here at don't want work up too fast, but you need to stop and work it for a while. before good (for me). 2% off & 5 (down all 5%) Journey 2 T2 (TV's been at about 11:50). 147 - 6min - 1 in an excellent start I wake up to 700+ ad.

Gymnogyps californianus May 3, 1946 Nr. Famoso, Calif. mistakable (I saw the pictures). Maximum number of condors in photos was 2 or 3. Joe said that buzz- ards & condors eat the membrane but not the digestive tract of the poisoned squirrels; he believes they would be poisoned only if they ate this. Coyotes & bob cats are killed easily by secondary poisoning, Joe said, but apparently not birds. The buzzards give way to the condors & stand around in a circle while condors are feeding, Joe said. Occasionally a condor snaps at a buzzard with bill. Condors can be approached quite close in a car - to within about 40' at times, says Joe. Sometimes they will fly a short ways carrying the squirrel in their bill rather than relinquish it, said Joe - buzzards do this too. The buzzards often stand around & turn their backs with wings out but Joe has not seen condors do this. The "triangle" form- ed by the Bakersfield-Porterville, McFarland-Woody, & Famoso Woody highways has been the most frequented condor area, below says Joe. Once, Joe says, he flushed a condor & a golden eagle from a carcass at Poso Flat. Once, with Everett Horn, he saw condors feeding on a calf on Tojai Ranch before squirrel poisoning season. He said he had seen condors feed on sheep & cattle but mostly on squirrels - he thinks they especially like them. The condors follow 1 or 2 days

11/50-21-09/11 rue [illegible] - come around was [illegible] 1 mile SE of me, about 3 miles for dawn. I am already NW of it. 11:53 (3 & BT in a column) 50 to 500' above that & off me, seeing, 11:38, 6 of the road along NW main me, 11:59, now I keep looking at it but about 1 mile SE of me. 2100, east of road worked, 2 about (mile to E), 4 3 o'clock (miles SE - coming very close, and working along highway & road. I found 1 person of dog by his shed just past 2-3:00 in afternoon; and saw him again. I have not seen any person working in day or night. 2 good guys next year - limit [illegible] morning, used empty 6 E. 7 & above (5, 10 &) 2 feet high on a rock with a big tree & grass, bigger on top of hill than 3E-13 from home (12:06) 7 miles. 4 that were I mile SE. Four used- 20 mph for 15 minutes to New Mexico at 70 F.

Ford 3055 Gymnogyps californianus May 3, 1976 Nv. Famoso, Calif. After the poison crew, Joe said, & buzzards too. He has seen buzzards eat dried up carcasses 2 or 3 weeks old, however. His opinion of takeoff distance was about 30 ft., but he said the wings were held out & not flapped during the takeoff run (wrong!). Joe said condor seemed to wait 5 or 10 minutes after landing before commencing to eat as if not noticing the food - I believe Joe got this idea from his blind experience. He said the condor - about 70' away - did not seem to mind the camera click. Both condors & buzzards seem to prefer fresh meat, Joe said. One of his photos shows adult cado with one foot on squirrel or rabbit & pulling with bill. Condors are more wary than buzzards, Joe believes. Joe thought he had heard of one being reported found dead in a horse trough a few years ago but couldn't recall where he had heard the story. Joe had never seen condors on the N. side of San Joaquin Valley. Fox said that the whole Santa Maria Valley had been poisoned & that work was being done near Lathrop Flats too. Back on O Finas Bradshaw, who gave me some condor tips before, now works near Annette. One county man said a man named Douglas working in the Tejon foothills near El Pozo Creek, reported seeing 3 condors one day & 2 the next about a week ago (may not know condors, the informant thought). There were many buzzards about 2 miles E. of Kern Co. Park where

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus May 3, 1946 Mr. Famoso, Calif. squirrels are being poisoned, said the same man. Another poisoning party is working about 3 miles SW of Mt. Poso. Joe said that when he first noted condors feeding on poisoned squirrels he was worried about the possible effect, but he had seen nothing to indicate any bad effects on the birds, 4 17 (1945 figure) was the most he had ever seen. I drove then to Famoso and E. to Penoth Corners (Penoth Brothers ranch), arriving at 10:45 a.m. At 10:32 I saw 2 condors soaring about 1 mile NE of the Corner, 4 at 10:39 made out 9. One adult soared 300± over me. I drove to about 1½ miles NE of the Corner 4 at 10:51 saw 8 total, 2 being perched on a dry grass gentle slope with 3 turkey vultures close by them. The rolling hills were perhaps 60' from bottom to crest so that even in the "valleys" the condors had good takeoff country. At a group of squirrel holes I then saw 3 adults 4 1 imm. with 3 buzzards standing near, on 5° slope. Another imm. stood 75± yds. to E. &; it# joined the groups. at 11:10 one adult landed about 200yds. W. of the group 4 2 buzzards there took off as the condor landed. To take off the condors ran with body horizontal 4 wings flapping 4 feet galloping, one striking shortly after the other. One bird landed & ran about 6 steps in stopping on the near level ground. At# I was in my

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus May 3, 1946 Nr. Famoso, Calif. Car about 200 yds. from these birds & may have disturbed them. 11:13, I counted 13 -'adults 1 min. were still at the near squirrel hole & 5+ were with buzzards 2+miles to E. The min. took off galloping with both feet nearly simultaneously & flapping 15 times, then flap-glided 300+yds. & alighted near 2 buzzards. The adult followed and landed about 100' from min.. At 11:18 the 2 buzzards flew off. The adult pulled at the squirrel with bill sev- eral times, holding it down with 1 or both feet. The 2 buzzards stood 10+ behind adult, quietly. At 11:27 the min. still stood quietly on the slope 100' from adult. The location of these birds was 8 miles E. & 2 miles N. of Famoso. Another condor - a near adult - stood 100+yds. to S. of my car, its neck bulging & "crop" skin just showing, standing & looking about. The min. had pink color ventrally on neck above ruff. 11:32 The feed- ing adult took off about 11:28 & by 11:30 there were 5 buzz ards standing at that spot. 11:32, there were 7 soaring very slowly about 1 mile to E., one with feet down at 400+ altitude. These birds were in flat-gliding position leading NW into the wind as if "tacking". 11:34, the nearly perched condors & buzzards took off & circled together, rising. Two buzzards remained perched 1/4+mile N. of me, & at 11:38 an adult spiraled in and landed 10+ from the buzzards. The buzzards

No text detected

Gymnogyps californicus May 3, 1946 Nr. Famoso, Calif. remained but flopped off 20±' as a second adult landed beside the first (11:32), then walked back toward adults as the latter each tugged at a squirrel (11:41). The adults seemed to step on the squirrel with one foot, then the other, then pull with tip of bill. Each adult took 5± tugs, then stood quietly, then took off one at a time (11:43). One took 3 hops be- fure off, and 9 flaps before the first glide. Both took off to 5. (downhill 5%, wind NW) leaving the 2 buzzards. 11:47, I saw 7 in air scattered about 1 mile & up to 400±' altitude. 11:50, 12 in view; some having apparently risen from about 1 mile SE of me behind a humps. There was a fair, steady, NW breeze. 11:52, 13 condors + 3 buzzards whirled in a column from 50' to 500' altitude about 1 mile SE of me. 11:58, 6 of these tacked slowly NW near me. 11:59, I saw one drop down as if to alight about 1 mile SE of me. 12:00, 1 adult soared overhead, 2 about 1 mile to E, + 3 about 1 mile to SE--soaring very slowly, wings flaps. One bird had 1 or 2 rectrices missing; another 2s battered wings & tail. One might time condor speed here by timing a condor shadow as it passes 2 successive telephone posts. There was a high tension power line (Edison) about 2 miles to E, the Paso oil wells about 2 miles to S. 12:05, two flaps-glied up

No text detected

Ford 3059 Gymnogyps californianus May 3, 1946 Nr. Famoso, Calif. a draw about 1 mile SE of me - 13 flops max/min, 2 flaps per second or slightly faster (perhaps 10 pm 8 seconds). 12:06, 7 condors with 4 turkey vultures circled about 1 mile to SE. Wind about 20 mph from NW, 76°F., sky clear. 12:13, 9 condors + 3 buzzards about 1 mile E. of me (1 of these was about 1 mile SE of me & at 1000 ± '). General comm. enta: They search for food at moderate altitudes, about 100' to 300' usually. In many cases the condors land where there are buzzards, & the buzzards give way - do condors let buzzards find their food for them? The condors split up into 1's, 2's, 3's, + 4's, rather than staying & feeding together - two groups may be 2 miles apart. Bear mtn., a possible roost, is 30 miles from this spot. Brokenbow Mountains or Broken- ridge mtn. have trees suitable for roosting at a lesser distance. Many squirrel outside of lob. some remained untouched - these were bloated & still- ing & supposedly would be eaten eventually. I required about 15 minutes search per car- cass found. Re Joe Keyes: he was very willing to give information & nearly all proved accurate & unstretched; he was very friendly & talkative with me & but I did not mention Audubon

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus May 3, 1976 Nr. Famoso, Calif. 12:29 I saw 4 circling with turkey vultures at up to 300' altitude about 1 mile to S., 4 one about 1 mile to N.E. Then I drove to a hilltop about ½ mile E. of the first. From there at 12:40 I saw 6 condors in air & at least 3 on the ground (2 at one spot, one ¼ ± mile distant). There were at least 3 turkey vultures within 20' of the two condors. Heat waves interfered greatly with vision. I saw another condor go down as if to land in a canyon ½ ± mile N. of the two. I watched the two - at 12:45 there were 6 turkey vultures near them. One ran a few steps with wings up - 4 turkey vultures took off but landed 10 ±' from condor when it stopped. The other saw- do walked fast toward a standing buzzard - the latter took off when condor 10 ±' away. 12:59 the two condors stood together; they wrestled with their heads, one bird forcing the other back. Over the condors whooped 5 other condors & 12 ± turkey vultures - at 12:54 the condor took off & joined the bunch. About 1 mile SW of there about 3 others circled. 12:55- the lone perched condor also gave. In the low whirling group the condors were mixed in with the vultures - no separation. 1:00, I saw 4 condors in quick succession drop into a hollow about 3/4 mile NE of Pete's Corner, & a buzzard leave the hollow, flapping. 1:03, I saw 5 condors low over that spot as

No text detected

Gymnogyps californicus May 3, 1946 Mr. Famoso, Calif. if thy had just taken off. Little Creek, which contains clear running water & is lined at spots with green gress, runs through this feeding area (the 2 with buzzards were 60±' from it). 1:09, I saw 4 condors standing together on the flat of a valley - one took off to NW & a buzzard landed 20±' away from them. These birds were about 1 mile S. of the Famoso-Woody road & within vision of it. 1:12, one of the groups danced toward the bay- ard - the buzzard flapped away. 1:13, one of the 3 left. 1:14, a second left, taking off into the wind (NW) with 14 flaps. 1:15, the 3rd. off, also to NW. 1:16, I saw at least 5 in air, & about 12 turkey melteries, scattered for about 1 mile & up to 500±' altitude. I investigated the spot where I first saw condors feed- ing this morning. There was a very maggoty squirrel in the hole, 6± " from top of ground. It had head some skinned & other body areas peeled. I pulled a leg - it pulled off easily because of rottermess. I visited the spot where I had seen the 2 condors with several buzzards near Little Creek - the birds spot proved to be about 15' from creek & 200± yds. from road at closest point. I could find no squirrel remains but a strong stench of rotten squirrel came from at least one hole (sense of smell evidence?). I drove down for Little Creek east of the Enterville road. I stopped

No text detected

3062 Gymnogyps californianus May 3, 1946 Mr. Famoso, Calif. to check on what some buzzards were feeding on, & 4 crows flushed from a side canyon about 800 yds. ahead of me (my disturbance probably). The last took off about 1 minute after the others. Breeze was now lightly. I stayed in the car - at 1:55 only one crow remained in sight, about 800' over the area where the 4 were, & it wandered slowly E. in an aimless manner (½ ± mile E. of me at 2 p.m.). 2:03, 2 appeared from W. at about 300' altitude; and I saw one go down behind a hump 1± mile to NE & a buzzard come flapping up from that area. 2:15, I saw 3 with about 15 buzzards circling about 1 mile SE of Res- Corner. 2:18, I saw a crow with ± buzzards in the grain field just SE of Res- Corner - this bird took 30 successive flaps in heading N. up a draw without apparently gaining altitude. I went to about ¾ mile E. of that area & saw a crow standing near 3 turkey vultures in the rather sparse grain field. At 2:25 this bird took off with 27 flaps. The flapping ceased when bird had turned 180° from its takeoff run direction (to NW) and was 15 ±' above the ground. There was a 3 ± second pause, then 5 flaps. The buzzards remained perched ed. The adult had pecked at the ground area as if feeding. Breeze fair at times, light at times, from NW. 2:30 I saw one crow & 9 turkey vulture

3063 Gymnogyps californianus May 3, 1946 Nr. Famoso, Glix. circling over the grain field. At 2:55 I saw at least 2 on the ground on a hill & possibly 3 circling over about 2 miles E. of Res-Corner. I drove about 1/2 miles E. of Res-Corner & saw 2 cardos at 3 p.m., at about 200' altitude, circling near lizards over the N. slope of ridge S. of (4 parallel to) the road. One, an adult with #14+ (about) right primaries miss- ing, walked westward, & was along the ridge & was about 1 mile west of its 3 p.m. position at 3:10. I talked again with Joe Keyes & a county agriculture man who was showing him around. They had seen a cardo near Pozo Creek at about 2:15. Joe said the latest he saw them last year was 5 p.m. (daylight saving). The county man said that the eastern boundary of the poisoning was the Edison power line about 3 miles east of the Porterville road. At present they were poisoning on the Famoso side of the Porterville road NW of Res- corner. The area to S. of the Famoso-Woody road was poisoned "about a week ago" (several cardos in that area today. He said there were about 3000 sheep in this area about 4 weeks ago & up to 10,000 earlier - these had been moved to the desert (Shryokern country). By 4 p.m. saw no more cardors. Returned to Delano for the night.

No text detected

Gymnogyps californicus May 7, 1946 Nr. Famoso, Calif. Left Delano at 7 a.m. & drove via McFarland to Res Roth Corner (arrived 8 a.m.). I parked about 1/2 mile E. of the corner. At 8:04 I saw a condor cir- c ling about 2 miles E. of me. Light NW breeze, sky only 1/10 cumulus, air warm. I saw 2 or 3 buzzards at this time. This condor rose from about 300 to 1000 ft. by 8:10, wandering 1/2 + mile N+ & see it now. At 8:20 I lost it at about same position - 2 buzzards were close to ground below. At 8:30 I saw 2 condors & 4 + buzzards about 3 miles to E. of me. These birds were all in the direction of Oak Flat Lookout from Res Roth Corner (4), the lookout & Breckenridge mtn. beyond being discom- fortable today. I then drove to a hilltop about 1 mile E. of Res Roth Corner & 300 +/- yds. S. of Little Creek. From there at 8:50 I saw 4 condors circling from 50 to 600' over the hills about 2 miles to W/E of me, & about 7 buzzards in the same area - this was apparently near the lightening power line which was the E. (+ most recent) boundary of the poisoned area. 65 F., wind faint to fair from NW (the prevailing direction I am told by airmen here). The 4 went down out fright. At 9:05, 4 again appeared there, rising, occasionally flapping. 9:08, I saw 6 circling at 400 +/- in that area. This group scattered, & at about 9:14 I saw 1 or 2 go behind a hill about 2 miles

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus May 4, 1946 Nri. Famoso, Cal'f. to E. of me, just beyond high the power line. 9:18 a large adult soared W. from power line vicinity, 100+ over the hills, & at 9:20 dropped into a hollow about 3/4 mile N. of me (closest condor I have seen so far today). I believe this bird landed. A maneuver often seen at low altitude is the dipping of one wing tip followed by a steep bank to that side. perhaps the dive is the result rather than the cause of the bank, the upcurved primaries snapping down when the turn commences. 1 or 2 buzzards flew out of the hollow where the close condor alighted. Back to Joe Keyes: he believes many road birds are shot along the roads so it's fearful of publicizing the condors because they too might attract shooters. Blue Mtn. Lookout can also be observed from this spot, so both Blue Mtn. & Oak Flat Lookouts should see condors. 9:30, the close adult flapped SW (down canyon) out of the hollow where it disappeared, then circled & rose, 2 buzzards apparently following it in air. Feeding (?) time here not over 10 min-- utes - apparently a squirrel does not keep a sow low occupied long. The close adult rose to 300+; the lizzard "escort" left, and (10:35) adult headed to NE in a long glide to join a group of 10 con- dors circling about 2 miles NE of me. I counted at least 14, possibly 16, at 9:39. Most slid.

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus May 4, 1946 Nr. Famoso, Calif. to SW at 9:45 a group of 10 (+1 buzzard) milled about 1 1/2 miles E. of me at 200-800' altitude. The group broke up within a minute, several birds straggling back to NE at a time, & all strung out for about 1 1/2 mile at 9:47. Counted 11 at 9:50 - along the power line area toward Blue Mtn. from me. Twice briefly this morning I saw one condor chase another, both banking sharply with wings strongly flexed, & at least once attacker had feet down. 9:57, 6 were over the power line area in Blue Mtn. direction, & X + 3 in a circling group 1 mile E. of me, 2 or 3 others scattered about 2 miles E. of me. All seemed to B-line toward a spot about 3 miles ESE of me where buzzards & condors were milling - at least 5 condors there at 10:02, some dipping out of sight in the hills. I saw one con- dor apparently land just out of sight in that area - about 1/4 mile E. of the power line - at 10:07, then no activity at that spot. I scanned the horizon but found no condors. At 10:15 I saw one land atop the hummock behind which the 10:07 bird disappeared, then I saw at least one other perched there & another about 100yds. to E. across a dip. One bird from hummock flew across the dip & landed by other - a few seconds dlater one of those (same I believe) flew out of sight behind the hummock, & the other took off at 10:24. I then saw 3 and 5 + buzzards circling over the

No text detected

3067 Gymnops californianus May 4, 1946 Nr Famoso, Calif. hummock area as if leaving, 4 more perched on ground. One bird in taking off down hill took 3 flaps only, then glided. 10:28, saw 6 cormorants scattered in air over the hummock area - Oak Flat 10 directly beyond this spot. 10:38, saw 5 cormorants & 1 buzzard circling over dipping behind a knoll 1/2 ± mile N. of the hummock. 10:40, 6 dipping behind the knoll & 2 others 400' over them. Apparently the birds were rising from that area - there were 5 scattered to 1000' altitude over the spot at 10:45. 10:48, 8 scattered over that area, most heading N ± slowly at 700 ± 'altitude. 10:58, I saw + cormorants & 12 ± buzzards circling about 1 1/2 miles NE of me, & 1 with (over) 6 ± buzzards in same vicinity, whilewhile 4 ± other cormorants approached from SE. 11:08, I saw 2 cormorants among 12 ± buzzards near power line to ESE (near hummock where I saw some land earlier); at least one went down as if to land. Apparently the cormorants are scattered for about 2 miles near the power line (beyond to E., this side to NE). None has come closer than about 1 mile to the Porterville road. I moved then to a knoll about 2 miles E of Rexford Corner & 1/2 ± mile S. of Little Creek. But at 11:30 from there I saw an adult cruising about 1/2 mile N. of me - at 11:33 it dropped back behind a ridge (to near Little Creek), & a second adult did likewise at 11:34, while another with feet down, circled 8' 300' overhead as if to land. Interrupted

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus May 4/1946 Nr.Famoso G.l.f. then by Joe Keyes, at 11:38 saw 2 adults rising from that area (x 4 buzzards). Keyes said they saw 7 adults circling near Granite Blotem at 10 a.m. They also flushed one which was feeding with a buzzard near the Famoso road. Joe Keyes records: May 5, 1 min. May 21, 7 adults + 1 min. May 22, 3 adults + 1 young. May 27, 6 adults + 1 young. May 25, 1 adult + 7 min. feeding at 1 spot; watched from about 100 yds. That day saw 16 at once. He saw 8 or 9 feeding on a dead calf on Tejon Ranch, at 11:57 I saw 5 with 8+ buzzards rising about 3/4 mile to N, + 3 cruising about 1 mile to E. Talked with Keyes till about 12:08. He said the area E.of the power line & S.of Famoso road had been poisoned about a week ago - crows were landing on the ground there today. About 12:10 I saw 5 crows with 20+ buzzards circling about 1 mile to E. This group broke up and a group of 3 or 4 crows & 15 + buzzards formed over Little Creek about 3/4 miles to N.of me - I saw no crows slight by 12:25. One min. (quite dark wing living) circled 100+ over me for about 4 minutes, then headed off to join a group. This min. had a protruding grey "crop button" 12:45, I saw 7 in air + 2 perched on ground in the Little Creek canyon about over the road. at least 2 min. I saw one adult with #647

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus May 4,1946 shat left primaries missing. This one landed in a canyon about 3/4 mile W.of me. I drove to the ridge crest + saw 4 buzzards on the ground + the adult 100' from them (+ about 50 yds. from me). The adult took off + flap-circled vigorously to clear the area. I found no

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus May 9, 1946 Nr. Famoso, Calif. in that area - there were 10+ buzzards scattered also in that vicinity. 2:23, again saw 2 condors in same vicinity- one spiraled down sharply, wings flared, feet feet down, as if to land; & the other continued soaring back & forth at 300' altitude. The latter circled & rose down- wind until at about 2000' altitude, then glided stead- ily toward Fulton Pk. in the distance as if "going home". A fair NW breeze continued. 2:45 I saw 2 beyond the power line about 3 miles to E. of the Corner- circling. 2:48, I saw 4 condors & 15+ buzzards circling in a loose group about 1/2 miles NE of the Corner. I watched one - it wandered about 1 mile SE, then back over the others at high altitude (1500'), at 2:58 I saw 3 condors spiraling down, legs extended, over the same area as before (out of my sight behind a hill). I drove toward that spot but the condors- 6 of them - flushed when I was out of sight so that I couldn't see up on what they were feeding (3:15). Two seem- ed to take flight 1/4 mile distant after 1 minute, & 4 adults circled near the car at 100' altitude. Two adults showed the disturbed crop area & 2 did not. ? 3:23, the 4 circled over the area 1/4 mile W. of where flushed, 3 with feet down. Perhaps they were not disturbed by the car. One parachuted down at 3:25 & another glided into the hollow with feet +three not extended. All 4 were "in" by 3:26 1/2, & the remaining

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus May 4, 1946 Nw. Famous G & h.f. one flap-glided back & forth, feet not down (disturbed snap one). 3:29, 6 condors & 3 turkey vultures rose out of the hollow, undisturbed by me. A transient plane had just passed 5000±' over in about the direction of the sun, however. 3:33, an imm. dropped into the hollow as if to land; an adult swept back & forth over the hollow, feet up, then flap- glided to S. (after the other carders) at 3:35. About 3:36 I saw one disappear behind a ridge hill ½± mile SW of where last rose; another soared back & forth over the spot. 3:40 two condors came flapping up from that area; X1 adult headed back to where imm. had disappeared, & also disappeared behind ridge. I saw 3 other also heading that way. The 3 were over the spot at 3:45 but wandered off to SW. E. about 3:46. 3:53, 3 condors again over that spot. One had a left primary & secondary bent up as if broken - possibly these 3 included the 2 which were supposedly perched. One adult circled & rose with a lizard (as though condors near). This one rose to 500±' near me, then? 4:00, I watched another about 1 mile NE of the Cower - it was the 'bent wing' bird. It rose to about 800' altitude, soared NE about 2 miles, then W. about a mile & was joined by another condor. Both wandered to E. then (4:09) I saw a 3rd. about 1½ mile E. of the two. Breeze still

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus May 9, 1946 Nr. Famoso, Cal. Light to fair from NW. I saw one up to 4:15 at about 1,500' altitude about 6 miles NE of Rimrock Corner - "going home" I judge. I searched the area where I estimated the 6 condors had been - I found many squirrel holes, but in 15 minutes search found no suitable food. I did find 3 squirrel remains - 2 desiccated & little better than skeletons, the third dried rather recently. This last had skin turned inside out, the bones of hind legs being pulled out of their skin. The skull was nearly intact; the scales had been eaten in the hide near ears. All viscera gone but most of backbone remained. The tail was present with hair on but detached from body in the other two. Skulls & backbones were fairly intact. This is probably buzzard - condor work. About 1/2 mile W. of the power line within 200 yds. of the road I found 3 squirrels, intact, upon which hawks were feeding (too close to road?). I found 1 which was consumed in large part but not turned inside-out. Cars pass on this road perhaps once per hour. My car was stopped & a roadster holding 2 teen agers & a girl stopped nearby, & the conversation ensued: "Huntin'?" "Sometimes," I said. "Well there's two big birds - turkeys or something - out in the middle of that field, and they're the biggest things you birds I ever saw." They were turkey vultures - the group's face dropped

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus May 4, 1946 Mt. Famoso, Calif. who I explained they were beneficial birds. If this group had been armed, it would have been buzzards or crows funeral. I saw no more con-dors by 5:30 p.m. May 5, 1946 Nr. Famoso, Calif. Drove to Roxoth Corner, 1 mile E. of Famoso, thence about 2 miles W. E. on the Famoso-woody road. I picked up a black & white cat & a small jackrabbit on the road for bait - both in rigor mortis state & somewhat bloody. I picked up a squirrel about 1 day dead too. Then I shot an old sow which had been left by the sheepmen (shot about 7:30). I placed there carcasses near the crest of a hill about 10 miles E. of & 2 miles N. of Famoso & about 1 mile N. of the road (& Little Creek). I placed my car about 500' to W. of the carcasses & spread a tarp over it, leaving part of the two window uncovered for observation. I was in this blind at 8:15. Car was parked next to a group of old concrete building foundations about 7 ft. high. At 8:40 a.m. I saw one condor circling about 2 miles to the E., & about 8:43 it seemed to be near Mt. Foso at about 500' altitude. From blind I could look toward Oak Flat & Blue Mtn. lookouts. Breeze was fair from S. Low sun at 7 a.m. Sky clear. 78° at 8:30 a.m. My bait was about 1/4 mile N. of the Edison power line. 9:08, saw one turkey vulture, first I have seen to-

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus May 5, 1946 Nr. Famoso, Calif. Day. These seem to arrive & leave at about the same time as the condors but a few may hang around or even roost near the food after condors have departed. 9:12, I saw 2 condors circling about ½ mile S. of the bait, upper one with feet down, & a 3rd, ¼ ± mile further S. 6 condors & 3 buzzards in a loose group circling ½ ± mile S. of our bait at 9:15, at 9:17 I saw one adult drop down as if to land near the power line & road about ½ ± mile S. of bait. By 9:21 at least 3 condors had landed at that spot (about 100 yds. from power line towers it appeared). One turkey vulture passed 100± over the bait, then headed S. 9:24, I saw 5 condors & 6 ± turkey vultures flapping/flapping away to W. of the landing spot over the flat ground. One gave 2+ successive flaps, 9:27, I saw another rise flapping from that spot. It flapped seldom when at ± above height of power line towers, & rose circling over the spot where it took off. A bunch of condors & buzzards worked nearly over me, &? at least (condors) were circling 300±' over my bait at 9:30. The birds left within 2 or 3 minutes - per- haps they didn't see it. Retrogressing: I watched one bird circling to gain altitude yesterday, and it kept the tail constantly tilted with low side away from the turn. There were no straight stretches in this circling - all curving flight. I watched

No text detected

Ford 3075 Gymnogyps californianus May 4, 1946 Nr, Famoso, GhPs the shadow of one circling & moving downwind. The speed of the bird was quite slow on the turns as compared to the "straightaway" - perhaps 10 m.p.h. on the turn, & 30 m.p.h. on the downhill leg. 9:58, a lone condor soared W. about 1/2 mile S. of the bait. 10:05, I saw one cruising over the hills about 1 mile to S. of bait. 10:15, one circling about 1/2 mile S. of bait at 200+ ft.. 10:50, a raven flew back & forth about 10' over the bait several times, then departed. 10:54, I saw a mature golden eagle feeding on a squirrel (?) about 300 yds. N. of the bait. The eagle picked up the intestine in its bill & cast it aside but ate other morsels it pulled from the carcass. Several comment on this feeding area; it is on its way out; the Bakersfield- Porterville road is a recent development. Oil wells are within a mile or so to S. High price might induce cultivation of this land. The power & telephone lines are a menace to flight. The march of "civiliz- ation" will doubtless tend toward more use of this area by people & more disturbance of condors. By 12:00, breeze was NW about 15 m.p.h. No one more bird 85° F. had approached the bait. 90°F. At 12:30 I dismantled my blind - I believe concealment was good as an eagle which had been perched 1/4-mile away for an hour left quickly when I appeared. I drove toward Roseth Corn- er. Condors scarce & buzzards few. at 1:10 I saw

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus May 5, 1946 Nr. Famoso, Calif. one condor about 3 miles E. of the Corner - it was joined by a second. Both circled together & worked 1 1/2 mile S. over highest hill to 1000' altitude, then headed N NE as if going a long way. Breeze lacking at times, about 15 m.p.h. at others, from NW. At 1:40 I saw one about 3 miles E. of Refloth Corner. Then I drove around the "triangle", seeing no condors, & arriving at the E. apex at about 2:25. From there I saw 4 condors at 2:30 - 3 descended behind a hill 1/2 mile S. of Little Creek & another about 1 1/2 miles to W. was heading that direction. I drove cross country trying to reach the landing area - was stopped by a route, but saw one dark min. soaring close; an adult flap-gilding to W. as if just having taken off, 20' above ground; & at 3:00 a total of 6 condors in air at once over a 1/2 mile long area (about 4 miles E. of Corner). Most went behind a ridge out of my sight. I drove to top of a knoll just S. of Little Creek to watch. Fair NW breeze at 3 p.m. The condors apparently escaped without my seeing them. At 3:45 saw one condor (or eagle) circling & rising about 2 miles S. of me - it rose to 1500' as if to glide off toward Breckridge Mtn... I saw no birds near my "bait" from a distance. Saw none by 7 p.m. Breeze continued. I returned to Delano. GR Buckingham says morning breeze is generally SE, then shifts to NW in the eve

3077 Gymnogyps californianus May 5, 1946 Kern Co., Calif. Last evening Bufort Fox called my aunt & told here that 21 condors had been seen on Teyon Ranch to S. of the Roosevelt road about 6 miles E. of the highway (94). May 6, 1946 Mr. Famoso, Calif. Drove from Delano to Refoth Corner, arriving 8:05 a.m. I proceeded up Woody road & examined my fruit of yesterday - it was untouched, but now the sheep was bloated & several hundred flies crawled & buzzed around the carcasses. I proceed ed to top of the knoll where I made last obsrvn stion last night - about 11 miles E. of Famoso, 1/4 mile S. of Little Creek. Saw no turkey vult. ure until 8:49 (then 1). Breeze light from N. at about 8 a.m., fair from SW by 9 a.m. 9:05 I saw 5 buzzards in air. Sky clear, 83°F. 9:18, I saw one condor about 2 1/2 miles to SE (almost directly toward Bear Mtn). This bird dipped behind a hill. at 9:37 I saw one condor + 8± turkey vultures in same area over furthest hills I could see in Bear Mtn. direction. This one dipped out of sight between 2 hills, along with 5± buzzards. 9:52, I saw one condor rising over that area, feet down, with 7± buzzards. Brgz NW, 15 m.p.h. & stronger. 10:01, I watched an apparent adult in that area for about 5 minutes until it spiraled slowly down, legs extended & disappeared between the hills. 10:07 I saw another soaring there +

No text detected

Ford 3078 Gymnogyps californianus May 6, 1946 Nr. Famoso, Calif. watched it constantly until 10:20. It circled at 300+ altitude, giving an occasional wing dip or half dip. Then it bore NW in a long glide until about over Little Creek 2+ miles E. of Baternville road, than circled - saw a total of 4 condors scattre- ed there at about 10:23. At 10:25 saw another at 200+ altitude, circling, 2+ miles toward Bear Mtn. again. I saw 2 near the power line about 1 mile to W. of me at 10:34 - I watched the higher one, at 1000+ altitude, until 10:52. It circled + wander- ed to W. for about a mile, then N. about 1 mile, then descended to 500+ with several wing dips + passed the vicinity of my "lariat"; then continued off to N. until about 2 miles N. of me (where I lost it). At 11:20, I saw one about 300' over the power line to W. of me & watched it until 11:39. It headed W. about 1 mile to a group of circling turkey vul- tures & circled with them at 100+, then rose as the buzzards rose (12+ turkey vultures), with them, near the bottom of the column of vultures, than near the top as the whirling group flattener- ed at 500', then slme above them to about 1000' altitude. I timed about 5 circles - they were 16-17 seconds each. Condor times one circle to vultures 2 - almost exact ratio. Condor then headed SE in a long glide

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus May 6, 1946 Nr. Famoso, Cal. until I lost it at 11:39 when it was about 2 miles to S. toward Bear Mtn. I saw a golden eagle flop- ping close to ground today & noted that the spread tail moves up & down with the wing beat - possibly to study pitching caused by wing flapping (do condors do this too?). 11:53, I saw 3 about 1/2 mile W. of power line over the Little Creek ridge (S. side). One circled without multitudes & 2 dipped below a ridge 1/4+ mile N. of them. The Little Creek ridge near the power line has been one of most frequented areas in last few days - apparently on the flight line to SE. I have seen no activity near my "bait". Two cars stop- ped yesterday afternoon near there & were "jailbreaking" with rifles out of the cars - apparently there they were shooting at squirrels; condors & huzzards had left the area by that time of afternoon. 12:03, I saw 5 or 6 condors scattered over 1/2+ mile area about 1/2 mile W. of where power line crossed Little Creek ridge. At 12:06 I saw but 3, from 500+' to 2000+' altitude over that area; they drifted W., then descended to 300 +' level. Then I watched lowest one - it wandered northward, then (12:28) was joined by 2 others, & all were heading NW about 3 miles NE of Rexroth Corner when I lost them at 12:33. Breeze strong at times, looking at others, but # northerly. 83°F. I left the area & drove to Pano via Granite Canyon. Most of the road was

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus May 6, 1946 Kern Co., Cal. lived w/ oil wells. At Baso were 80+ Herefords & a Kern Co. Land Co. sign - so, some stock in the area. A high bare hill just SE of Baso might make a good station for watching condors passing over. Thought: baiting condors is much like baiting trout (smart trout). It apparently can't be figured always. Different areas, concealment, are tried - sometimes they work but often results are unpredictable. Apparently trout & condors - like to be fed what they are naturally feeding on at the time, so should use cattle bait in cattle country, squirrel or squirrel country, etc. Drove on to Bakersfield & saw Bufort For. He said a man on the poisoning crew had made the 21 Cador report & that the crew was now camped at the old ostrich farm. For said the birds were seen "one day last week"; For also said he saw 1 on Tejon Ranch a few days ago (near headquarters). I drove eastward then to Bono & started scanning Mt. Adelaide area from the roadside at 3:20. At 3:30 I saw 3 condors at about level of top of Mt. Adelaide & near it, heading W or NW. I watched one - it disappeared behind a ridge 2+ miles E off mt. top at 3:38, heading in Kern River power plant (& Baso) direction. Then I saw one (one of same 3?) way up near mountain tops again, & it followed a similar course. Fair breeze from W., clear sky. Saw none by 4 p.m.

No text detected

Ford 3081 Gymnogyps californianus May 6, 1946 Tejon Ranch, Calif. so proceeded on around Kern Mesa, stopping several times to scan Bear Mtn., but saw no condors by 5 p.m. The Kern Mesa & Ilmon areas had hundreds of Hereford cattle - unusually heavy concentration. At Tejon Ranch, Perry Sprague told me he had seen one condor with several turkey vultures a few days ago on the ground, on El Paso Creek above headquarters. He said that many years ago, (about 45 yrs.), condors roosted on all dead pines on Brokenridge Mtn. in upper part of Lucas Creek Canyon, where the road reached the first pines. Sprague's father used to log up there, & Perry worked there - he said that they were always interested in "the vultures". Perry also worked at Weed Patch, at a mine near Frazier Park, & other spots about since before 1900. He said that the condor num- bere seemed about the same now as 40 years ago. For information on condors on the San Emidio side of the valley, he suggested especially Leon Harris who lives on Salt Creek (road taken off near start of Whisker Ridge Oil Field road). Salt Creek Pete (as a Frenchman) and another old timer live up Salt Creek. The Tejon blacksmith, Morton, worked on San Emidio's Ranch a long time & may have info too! We suggested also Raleigh Dunlapy of who lives on Oak Creek south of Tehachapi - Dunlape run cattle on the S. side of the Tehachapis from Cottonwood Creek to near Mojave

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus May 6, 1946 Tejon Ranch, Calif. Benny told me the story of how he caught a condor in the "Thompson Field" on the ranch. He was driving in his car when he came upon the bird & he followed be- birds off the bird with the car several times thus preventing it from flying off, & he found its legs out & then did [illegible] find it as the bird flew, then landed. Benny caught it with a lasso & put it in the back of his coupe. He had difficulty in "lassoing" the bird as "it was s[illegible] with its wings". He heard a great noise in there & pecked in to find the bird shaking & thrashing a pair of skid chains closet. Benny kept the bird several hours, showing it to people, then put it in a chicken wire cage (about 15'x20'). In the morning it was gone, the cage wire apparently having been cut in a vertical line. Benny thinks one of the Indians turned it loose. Benny was going to notify JR Lembi- ton to see if anyone wanted it. On another occa- sion, Benny tells, he came over a ridge into a cayote carcass. They had been poisoning coyotes with strychnine filled hollow balls at that time. There were eight condors around this large (about 35 lbs.) coyote. One grabbed the animal in its bill, lifted it, & shook it, then dropped it. Then the same bird pecked at it, breaking the skin, & the group moved in. Sprague, of course, tells a good story though basic facts are correct. He said condors nested once in a pine tree on Buckenidge Mtn... I talked with the First Tejon Ranch Blacksmith, Norton (or Morton). He was very loquacious but knew

Biden - can personally handle 2. bottom right faction 1. bought m [illegible] such. [illegible]

Gymnogyps californianus May 6, 1946 Tejon Ranch, Calif. the field marks of condor. He had spent years in the San Emigdio country. He said that once he saw 'three pair' below Mill Paterno. Recently he saw 'three pair' near Spanish Bench (Chinemer area). Another time, he said, he & another man caught a condor on Salt Creek near Black Bob Canyon. The bird had been feeding, apparently, & it had difficulty in taking off in the canyon. Two men caught it in 'about 2 hours'. Later they freed it. It stood on a rock about 15 minutes, then took off. He said the bird had large talons with which it grabbed them. Norton also makes a good story - but maybe he did catch a condor or other large bird. May 7, 1946 Tejon Ranch, Calif. Tony Orojo, Tejon head vaquero for years & a man of high intelligence, said he believed there were more condors than formerly on the ranch. I drove to a point about 2 miles N. of the foot of Pastoria Creek canyon & watched that area, & N. to the top服务区, from 8 to 10 a.m. - I saw no condor, & but a few buzzard travers. Warm clear day, fair northerly breezes. Mrs. Percy said she had seen an eagle chasing a condor near foot of Hopper Canyon a few days ago. They seldom saw condors that low, she said. In general, on the Paterno side Ranch, they saw most condors on cool

No text detected

oford 3084 Gymnogyps californianus May 7, 1946 Fillmore, Cal. T. windy days + less on warm calm days, she said. Did Peyton tell me that on May 1, near West Fork of the Sepe, he saw 6 condors "playing" in air. Did P. Jr. told me that May 4 he was on the road above Val Verde (near Castaic) + saw one condor feeding or a squirrel there, near the road. Mrs. Percy said she had met a man who had been fishing in the Desquoe, + that he said he had seen condors there. May 8/1946. Fog in Fillmore. Rode up to Turner Oil Co. with Pete Legan. He said a scoutmaster (Oakland) named Cain + another man had been up May 3 + had seen a condor in the dead trees by the road. We arrived at Peters at 10:10, 6500' above the fog. I hiked then to Nopper Rim, at 10:50 I saw one adult perched quietly on a top stub (12") limb of a dead br. at head of Parking Canyon about 200' W. of the road. This was about 3rd. highest tree. The bird paid no great attention to me + remained upright, dock to road, as I passed (I was 15" higher than bird) at 11:00. I went then to where Wolfe + Hill had the calf carcass on April 28. Only 6" bone fragments remained, the largest being the lower jaw (one posterior area broken). Apparently scavengers had been at work. I saw no hide or hair, nor any fathers, element, or other sign of condor presence. I

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus May 8, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Calif. returned then from Big Meadow to the Rim. The adult was perched as before at 11: 45. Air was nearly calm, so I suppose this adult was localized. Saw no condors in the Big Cave or other frequented areas. Water ran at Cedar Falls but perhaps not above Big Cave. I hiked northward along the road. The adult was there before at 11: 35, then at 11: 57 I saw one in air just W. of Pyramid Lookout. This was an adult with short # 7 right pri- mary, and a bulging "crop". The perch was bare - so probably the bird from perch. This adult skirted the diffs along Hopper Rim going southward & rounded Parking Knoll without crossing Rim to E. & did not hunger & flight difficult because of dead air = perched bird near ridge at mid-day. I continued on up the Rim arriving at Old Cabin at 12: 25 and at White Point at 1: 35. I inspected the old horse carcass - it showed no evi- dence of condor visitation, but ravens & mammalian scav- ers had moved it & removed most of the meat - the skull was still there. Visited then my camp's left there at 2: 15 heading for Pete Logan's on the road. The low fog had dissolved about noon leaving a heavy heavy rising haze. Breeze fair from S. at times after 12: 4 but calm at times too. Saw 6+ turkey vultures. At 2: 30 an immature soared near me near Small Meadow Pass. It had # 1 left primary short, the "pointed" tail, & dark center to under wing patches. It circled

No text detected

Gymnopsis californicus May 8, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Calif. over the slopes near North Point. The fog was so great that I could not see even Bear Heaven by 3 p.m. I saw no condor until 3:41 when near Parking Canyon. One adult, "crop" bulging, came in from W., gave a wing dip, and sped into lower Parking Canyon as if to flight. I judged soaring conditions poor at that time. Reached Logan's at about 4:15. Apparently no water top Big Cove. The falls of North Creek was dry. Roosting probably would be on Arnoldell Ridge now instead of near Big Cave, but apparently very few condors in this area now. May 9, 1946 Pasadena, Calif. Phoned C.S. Polunin at San Bernardino (Forest Supervisor's office). He said he had never heard reports east of Josephine Plk. (Angelina N.F.) in recent years; except 1 man, supposedly reliable, who said 3 came in annually at a place on the San Bernardino N.F. (report sent to Cramer). Polunin offered to take me to see this man on a future trip. Visited M.R. Durham, district ranger of Arroyo Seco District, Angelina N.F. He said he had seen 2 at Altmore Meadows (Mr. Semill's) about 12 years ago. He had been ranger on the Newhall District from 1931-1934, Arroyo Seco for last 10 years. He was skeptical of reports made by some lookouts as he had had a turkey vulture pointed out to him as a condor.

No text detected

Ford 3087 Gymnogyps californianus May 10, 1946 # Pasadena, Calif. by Alt Al Fisher (?) or Josephine Pk. once. There is a fine relief map of the Angeles including Pine Creek in the office here (281 E. Colorado - Post Office Bldg.). The recent lookout at Josephine Pk. is Stan H. Barnum of 1021 Fairview Drive, La Canada, & he will go up to Josephine Pk. about mid-June. At Newhall talked with Ranger McCormack & assistant New- ard Evans. McCormack said that vultures were reported from West Liebre & Whittaker Pk. in this district occasionally. He said that he saw 9 once near Big Pine Lookout (w. of it) in April of about 1937 when with C.G. Robinson. Evans said he had seen 2 (?) near Alpine Mtns. near Palmdale, once (I doubt his identification), that he had spent considerable time in Liebre Mtn. last summer but had seen more, & that his father caught one once (bird feeding by roadside, couldn't take off - turkey culture probably). McCormack volunteered to instruct his lookouts to watch for vultures & send information thereon. May 11, 1946 Nr. Famoso Calif. Arrived at Rexroth Corner, 7 miles E. of Famoso, at 9:30. Visited then my "bait" of several days ago. There was one vulture feather (black) at the

39-43 1 down to 5 46 - 2, down 30 - 1, ff. - then to of 5 2. 54 3, work 6 & long, etc., etc. 1 o'clock 10:00 - it may [illegible] & go #4th's walk. 10:01 - End od. - Hotel Bv. 73 - 3am 5 am, etc. 10:16 - East end own down. [18], 2 to 5 1/2 in., 2 & E. 1 1/2 in. (40 Gt.) Comber to flags? 22:- down each. full 2 m. & 5E. 26 - 1 1/2 mi to E- Greenland, 3, [illegible] down to 1 mile E. on my way up. 35-1 level, over than - came? At light we might just at made fail. :40,2, ok. into & SE men. done or said. No camp being so 43 - Base, Rock. full 1 mile 5E! 46 - and then 2pm down -

3088 May 11, 1946 Mr. FD Gymnogyps californianus Nr. Famoso, Calif. carcasses. The sheep had been dropped 20' downhill (5+ %), the intestine was separate from the carcass, one foreleg was severed to the wrist though bones intact & connected. There was a 10+" hole in left side, a larger one in abdomen, a 12+" hole at shoulders (+ eaten to bone), + other holes. Skin remained on head. Skin was dry now. The cat + rabbit lay where before but apparently had been eaten at skull + side, cat too intestine was separate from carcass, & one foreleg of each was separated from body- bodies both dry. The squirrel was not found. I went then to a knoll about 4 miles E. of Box- rath Corner & 1/4 mile S. of Little Creek. At 9:15 arrived & began searching - at 9:22 I saw one circa about 1 1/2 miles to S., circling 300+' over a knoll - about 3 minutes later it descended into between two hills, wings flopped, feet down. Fair N. breeze, sky sky low hazy but cloudless, 62° F. At 9:39 I saw one above the power line about 1 mile W. of me - it glided at SE and went down out of sight at 9:43 (about 2 miles in 4 minutes, 30 m. p. h.). At 9:46 I saw 2 circling low there, flopping frequently (about 1 1/2 miles S. of me). 9:50, saw + 9:52, I saw 7 there, & 5 at 9:54, circling & rising, with 6 lizzards. After 1+ min-

No text detected

Gymnops californianus May 11, 1946 Nr. Famoso, Cal. saw three earlier. "ragged" had no "prop ledge." 10:43, one, & 10:46, the other, disappeared behind a hill as if to land. 10:49, I saw-1, & at 10:51, 2, circling near the burn. into the group scattered. I passed over me heading NW at 10:00 (adult). This one had ragged to right wing (burn), a slot in left side of tail, & short #4+ left primary. 10:01 a second adult passed 1/4 mile S. of me also gliding SW. 10:03, I saw-3' still circling 1 1/2 mi. to S.. 10:09, one of the adults went down about 2 miles to NW of me just be- yond a burned area. This grass had been burn- ed since my last visit & was about 6 acres in extent & located about at the center of the road "triangle". I saw the passers car on the Porterville road W. of that area this morning. It seemed each one was over the burn, & another was about 3/4 mile S. of me. 10:16, I lost the one over burn. 10:18, there were 2 about 1 1/2 miles S. of me, 2 more about 1 1/2 miles to E., & so 6 total (including 2 at burn). 10:22, I saw one descend behind a hill about 2 miles to SE of me (halfway to an oil Derrick). 10:25, saw-1 still about 1 1/2 miles to E. & watched it - it wandered about at 100+ altitude, put feet down at 10:31, & descended as if to alight about 1 mile E. of me. In going down, flexed wings appear from front & the turns are much faster & shorter than the normal "searching" flight. 10:35, I saw one circling in that vicinity again - it was the "ragged" one possibly again. 10:40, I saw 2 there - probably the same as

No text detected

May 11, 1946 Gymnogyps californianus Sept here earlier. "Rogged" had no crop bulge 10:43, one, 10:46, the other disappeared behind the hill as if to land. 10:49 I saw 1 over the burn, & 10:51, 2 there. 11:00, the rogged one & another adult were about 1/2 mile S. of me, circling, at about 300'("rogged") and 100'(the 2 others). The 2 low ones skimmed close, med 30+t over the hills at times & frequently flapped, while "rogged" climbed to 600+, then headed to NW in a long flex-glide (11:04). 10-11:08, I saw one about 100' over the burn. Looking S. then I saw 2 (same as earlier?) circling, flapping, & rising rapidly about 1 1/2 miles S. of me. Fair NW breeze still, sky 1/0 cumulus. Two buzzards circled near the canyons. I lost these about 11:15. No watching then until 11:45. 11:52, I saw 2 flap-gliding at 500+t about 2 mile ESE of me. They soared close together, then glided fast, descending, & at 11:55 I saw 2 other canyons circling with several buzz- ards below them. 11:58, I saw 1 canyon about 2 miles to SE & watched it. It circled at 300+, aim- lessly, then put feet down (11:58) & glided down in a gradual spiral, disappearing between 2 hills at 12:03. I saw a second canyon also spiral down there. 12:05, I saw 5 with 1 buzz- ards circling low near edge of the burn. I then shot a few squirrels, then proceeded toward Peralta Corner. When 2 mile E. of corner, I saw 2 canyons & 4 turkey vultures standing on the ground 100+ S. of Little Creek near a telephone pole. This was

No text detected

Gymnogyps californicus May 11, 1946 Mr. Famoso, Glits. about 200yds. from road or less, & a truck had just been by there. I stopped on road & saw adult pick- ing at an object (squirrel?) on the ground. The imm- ture took off 30± sec. later - a dark min. with slot notch in center each wing & left side tail. The adult took off to NE with 3 or 4 haps about 30sec., later, than the buzzards. Both em- dors flopped circled until 100±' high, then glided off: adult to NW imm- to (adult to NW). Then I drove toward the spot where the carcass had been, & at 11:08, upon coming over the last rise before reaching Little Creek, I came upon a dark min- ture taking off about 100' from me. This bird was off in about 3 gallops, then flopped & circled until 200± above me at 1:12. I examined the area where this youngster had taken off & found one ground squirrel which had apparently been dead a week or more. It lay about 8" below sur- face of the ground on the ramp leading into burrow, & was visible from above only. Skull, upper foreleg, & upper ribs were fairly cleaned of meat. The carcass stunk & was infested with little larvae. Skin gone from rib & shoulder area forward to eyes, & opened over abdomen. I should quarterm intact. This was 20±' from Little Creek tail & thigh which ran a good stream. The other 2 carcasses

No text detected

Gymnogyps californicus May 11, 1946 Mr. Famoso, Calif. I had been across the stream about 50 yds away. I investigated that area & found two striking & partly dried squirrel bodies. Some meat was left in a pliable state. Where adult was standing, the squirrel had a 1" square piece of hide plucked off. This one had one hind leg missing & a hole at throat & side. The other carcass also stunk & was drying up fast, & both had beetles (Staphylinids they app- eared). This carcass had rear half missing & a detached hind leg close by. Apparently then the birds "go for" old meat at too much of the time. About 6' from where I stemmed first squirrel I found a rattlesnake in a squirrel hole (& shot snake). Another possible bird menace. This spot where telephone line crosses Little Creek seems to be a favorite - saw cardos on ground here before. Then set out 2 freshly shot squirrels (abdomens ripped open) and the snake near my former bait (sheep). Then drove to center of the "burn" but saw no cardos nor by; did see 2 circling low with several turkey vul- tures about 1 mile SE of where power line crosses Famoso road, x (8:55), & about 2 p.m. saw 1 decoys about 1 mile S. of same point. Fair breeze continued. At 2:40 I was back at my first observation station about 4 mi. E. of Refroth Corner. I saw then 4 car- dos & 8+ turkey vultures circling 100'-500' over

No text detected

Ford 3093 Gymnogyps californianus May 11, 1946 Nr. Famoso, Calif. a spot 2± mile S. of me as if rising from spot where I saw first few today. By 2:55 I saw 2 go down as if to alight at 2 different spots ½ ± mile E. of that area. 3:05, I again saw 2 circle down about ¼ mile apart about 2 miles SE of me. Again saw one second between the hills somewhat (¼± mile) W. of the previous 2 at 3:10 3:13, I saw 1 about 2 miles to E.; it soared S. about 2 miles, then N. ½ ± mile & spiraled slowly down be- tween the hills. 3:25, 4 condors & 5 turkey vultures were circling & rising about 2 miles to SSE.. The condors rose to 1000± altitude, then at least 2 headed eastward as if "going home". At about 3:40 I saw 2 about 2 mile S. of me, one at 100± & 1 at 500'. Both circled & rose. The lower rose to about level of cumulus clouds (2000' altitude) and at 3:45 gave a wing dip & started a long glide in the direction of Breckenridge Mtn. (I suppose the other did likewise). 4 p.m., I saw an adult about 2 miles SSE. It circled & rose to 800± alt. itude, then slowly descended circling & was 100± over hills with another condor at 4:07. Then it rose again & glided SE for perhaps 1 or 2 mile, then circled 4± times & glided S± (lost at 4:17). Then I saw another adult circle & rise & lost to 1000± about 2 miles S. of me (lost at 4:22). Apparently the "home roast" is to SE of this area. Fair NW wind, sky ¼ cumulus. Saw no more by 4:30,

No text detected

Ford 30974 Gymnogyps californianus May 12, 1946 Nr. Famoso, Kern Co. Drove to a point about 11 miles east of Famoso about 1/4 mile S. of Little Creek. Shot several squirrels (Citellus) & placed there, & those shot yesterday, in the open & perked atop a knoll to watch. About 400 yds. SW of me I placed 3 squirrels near top of a hill, & 5 about 700 yards to WSW near top of another hill. From my knoll I could see both spots & also the area where I placed 2 squirrels yesterday. Then 10 squirrels were all shot & meat had guts protruding through skin. At 9 a.m. I was set to watch; there was a fair breeze from SW, sky clear, considerable haze, 72°F.. 9:22, I saw one condor about 2 miles to SE- it put feet down & descended rapidly to between 2 hills as if to alight. Examined a sheep carcass near my bait this morning - it was several weeks old but had been dragged about 30' downhill from its original position, & no ground marks indi- cated it had lain at least a few days at one spot before being moved. Hide & skeleton except for 1 foreleg were still together though there were several large holes in the hide. I found one dark gray down feather - possibly condor - near this carcass. 10:59:38, I saw 3 condors and 8+ turkey vultures circling in vicinity of where the one descended - the birds were muted and ex- tended from about 50 to 300' above ground. Watched one then from 9:42-9:51. It was about 2 miles to E. at

No text detected

Ford 3095 Gymnogyps californianus May 12, 1946 Nr. Famoso, Kern Co., Calif. first, heading S. at 3000' above hilltops. It went about 1½ miles S, then NW, teetering into the breeze, feet down, wings flexed, for 3 or 4 minutes, then rising. Then it turns a circle & glided to W. for ½ mile with feet up, then put feet down & spiraled down rapidly & disappeared between two hills (where I saw first descend yesterday). The location of descent was ½ mile N.E. of a triangulation marker stop a hill - possibly Mt. Poos. One step bank when descending was accompanied by wingtip bending down on inside of turn. 10:15, I saw 5 circling & rising with several turkey vultures over the canyon just N. of the triangulation mark. 10:23-27 This group, as usual, broke up in a minute or so. 10:23-27 I saw one soaring about 2 miles to S.E.- it spiraled down, feet hanging, & disappeared between the hills- this bird, & many others, have gone down with pumping oil wells a mile or so in the background. 10:33, I saw 7 + 9 turkey vultures circling & rising about 2 miles to S.E. The groups scattered within 2½ minutes & the 4 condors headed SW- one went down as if to land at 10:41, & 3 condors with about 10 vultures circled in that vicinity (about 2 miles to SSE). 10:53, I saw 7 circling about ½ mile E. of the triangulation mark, & at 11:01, 1 condor and about 20 turkey vultures in that vicinity. I left my

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus May 12, 1946 Nr. Mt. Poso, Calif. station & drove via Coral Canyon toward mt. Poso, at 11:48, from the road (about 1/2 mile) I saw one adult & several turkey vultures flying low (50±') over a branch of Poso Creek. At 12 I saw another vultur. At 12:05 I was crossing creek about 1/2 mile E. of Mt. Poso (the triangulation mark) & flushed 3 vultures from near the creek about 1/4 mile S. of the road. They flopped down canyon almost to- gether. An adult & 1 min. alighted 1/4 ± mile from where flushed, then took off again about 1 minute later - I had stopped car; this may have dis- turbed them; they may usually return to their food when disturbed by car. Last sighting was about 1 mile E. of Mt. Poso. The 3 proved to be 2 min. & 1 adult. Adult & 1 min. soar- ed together - they left the others, then returned. All circled & rose, & 3 circled over me at 12:12 when I parked 1/2 ± mile upstream. Apparently this area had been poisoned not too long ago. I found 2 cott- otail rabbits & 1 ground squirrel in the open - slightly bloated but not maggoty - by seeing them from the road. Old bones & droppings show- ed that a large number of sheep formerly inhab- ited this section (earlier this year). I investigated the area where I flushed the vultures (no turkey vultures were with them). About 12:120 yrs. to

No text detected

3097 Gymnogyps californianus May 12, 1946 Nr. Mt. Posg Calif. N. of the road, 100± W. of Paso Creek, on a 5-10% E. facing shot dry grass slope I found where I believe the birds were feeding. I found 2 squirrel tails, with meat & bone pulled out (skin turned inside out) for basal 3" - these tails were separate from the rest of skeleton. There were two spinal columns with ribs & pelvis attached, one with a single hind leg attached (skinned out & bone cleaned to foot) & the other without. One skull shells, clean- ed, & entire except for one arch. A just twisted shredded piece of skin (about 6 sq. inches). A detached separate foreleg, skinned to wrist, & fairly cleaned of meat. Ribs were spread wide, the sternum gone, but only a few were broken off. One stomach & intestines, & another stomach. The latter was wet & brown - poss- ibly was regurgitated. Two carbor "hachles" were in the vicinity. One entire femur lay near a skull. The "meat" was scattered over a 20' diameter area. In a walk 100 yds. further down stream I found 3 dead squirrels on open ground - juicy & limp but not maggoty; skin unbroken, eyes dried up - apparently food plentiful here. About 50' upwind from these remains was the striking corpse of another squirrel - this one was juicy & soft & much hair had fallen off. Stomach protruded outside the body. Two legs were cleaned of meat & fur to the wrist,

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus May 12, 1946 Nr. Mt. Paso Cal. F. and one foreleg was missing. This stream -Paso Creek- is here about 2-3' wide & running well, clear water. It is open & the country is free of trees & brush so doubtless condors could drink here. At 12:35 a near-adult circled 1/4+ mile from me, then over me (150+') as I examined the remains. I gathered the remains & photographed them - at least large portion of both stomachs & both intestines were present. I found only 2 lower rami, & 5 separated legs (one on spine). I saved this material for future study. I left this feeding area at 1:15+ went on to top of Mt. Paso (the triangulation marker). At 1:22 from there I saw 4 condors with several turkey vultures about 1 mile to N., circling low over the hills. I then placed some bait about 500 yds. to W. of top of Mt. Paso on top of a ridge where it could be observed. This bait consisted of a highway killed jackrabbit, 2 poisoned rattlesnake (one bloated), one squirrel shot about 11:30 a.m., one found on the highway, & 1 poisoned - none were over 2 or 3 days dead I would judge, & the jackrabbit killed today probably. Returned to top of Mt. Paso to watch at 1:35. At about 2 p.m. I saw a turkey vulture on the ground about 1 mile to NNE. At 2:12 I noticed a condor there, feeding on some object on the ground at its feet (squirrel probably). A buzzard stood

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus May 12, 1946 Nr. Mt. Posy Calif. quietly about 10' downhill from the condor. The condor put head down for 2-5 seconds, then raised it for about the same interval. About 2:20 a sec- on vulture alighted & walked up the slope to near the condor. The condor fed on - it appeared to be an immature with some orange on head. Rarely did over 3 seconds pass without the head coming up for a look around. At times the buzzards seemed within about 6'. At 2:24 a 5th turkey vulture landed & the 3 stood 15 +/- from condor. One vulture walked up to condor, then retired to the circle again after a few seconds. Evidently the condor was standing on its food & pulling at it with bill, the body lie- ing in a horizontal standing position. A fourth vulture in the group at 2:28. These birds were on a 10 +/- E. slope; the ground was sparsely covered with dry grass (3-4" high). After 2:34 the feeding was slower, x 10-20 sec. pause interval between nib- bles. The bird fed facing N, then W, S, E, & N, & W again at 2:41. By 2:41, 7 turkey vultures loitering around the lone condor within about 20'. Once the condor walked toward a buzzard neck out- stretched - the buzzard retreated & condor apparently to a morsel at that spot. Apparently more than one carcass or morsel present. Twice I saw the condor stretch out its neck & apparently lean over

No text detected

Ford 3/100 Gymnogyps californianus May 12, 1946 Nr. Mt. Poso, Calif. forward with insect on the ground as if wiping, scratching so neck on the ground. 9 vultures, from 6' to 30' from condor. At 2:45 the condor shook up its wings, then took off to NE with 25 flaps. The vultures scattered as condor flew off. By 2:50, condor was 300 ± 'high, & all the [illegible] were circling below, having left the feeding spot. By 4 p.m. I saw no more condors from Mt. Poso - fair wind from NW continued. 89°, 80° F. at 4 p.m. Drove down the Poso Creek road to Porterville Highway. May 13, 1946 Mt. Poso, Calif. Drove from Delano to Mt. Poso, arriving 8 a.m. I put a freshly shot jackrabbit with the 3 other rabbit its + 3 squirrels I had out as bait about 500 yds. w. of Mt. Poso. Sky clear, air warm, faint breeze, considerable haze (Buckneridge Mtn. to SE, barely discernible). At about 8:30 turkey vultures appeared: breeze faint to light from W. From Mt. Poso I could see the areas where I put 5 + 3 squirrels yesterday, but neither yesterday nor today have I seen avian activity in that area. 9:32, I saw one condor soaring about 2 miles to E. It wandered over the hills at 200 ± 'altitude. I saw then 3 dark birds on a slope below it - a few moments later, one condor was there (I believe condor landed & buzzards left) at 9:42. Condor acted as if feed- ing on squirrel. The vultures returned 1 by 1 + by 9:50

No text detected

Gymnoryphus californicus May 13, 1946 Mt. Poso Kern Co., Calif. there were 5 within 20' of each other. 9:51, the carder ran toward a vulture 10 ±' away, wings folded, taking about 3 steps per minute, for about 30 steps. The lizard ran away in a curve (Γ), & carder followed. The carders resumed feeding. 9:54, an immature circled over the standing group, flew up. 9:57, the imm. alighted 30 ±' W. of group & slowly walked up to it. Only 4 vultures were left. The carders & vulture walked about occasionally & seemed not to feed. Only 3 vultures at 10:00. Both carders apparently immature. Twice I saw one carder walk briskly toward a vulture, the vulture retiring, keeping 6 ±' ahead, & carder then acting as if looking for food there. 10:03, 2 vultures remaining, the carders about 20' apart. The carders have not been closer than about 6' together. 10:07, another vulture left. By 10:08, one, then the other, had raised its wings & re-folded them. 10:08, one held wings half extended, then took off to NW (downhill & upwind, 10 ±% slope) with 3 gallops & 11 flaps, then descended into the canyon bottom 100 ±yds. downhill. The second bird took a similar course 30± seconds later, taking off with 8 flaps. One vulture was left at the spot. 10:20, I saw 2 cruising at about 200'500' altitude about 1½ miles to NW. 10:26, 3 now, about 1 mile 55W. of first position. Two circled together at 100 ±', & one above them at 500'. Fair breeze from N. commenced.

[illegible] 27+28 4 Y

Gymnogyps californianus May 13, 1946 Mt. Poso, Kern Co., Calif. The birds approached the vicinity of 6+ low circling vultures, then worked N. again, rising (10:32). 10:39, they were scattered for 1/2+ mile at 500'+ in vicinity of my squirrel bait - but they continued on (at least 5 vanders today it appears). 10:41, I saw 7 vonders circling + rising over where I saw the 2 on ground - sometimes were with them. The group split up - 2 soared toward me while one worked to E. One of the approaches dipped behind a hill about 1 mile S. At 10:50 there were 4 nearly above me at 500'+; they rose quickly to 1,000+ & set out to NNW. One had a large patch out of left right side of tail tip, + one a #4+ left primary missing. Four I saw - 2 gave a wing dip as they commenced their long fly-glide. Three were about 50 yds. apart, +1 trailed 1/2+ mile. 10:53, the one which lattered to S. soared be- hind a hill about 1 mile to E SE as if to land - so at least 5 vonders present. At least 3 of the 4 were adults, one an immature. 11:00, I saw one vonder descend as if to alight between hills about 2 miles to NW, to W. of power line 1/2+ mile. There certainly seems to be little reason for where the birds feed - there is plenty of food close to Mt. Poso. 11:07, I saw two rise above the hills where 11:00 bird went down - these circled low, occasionally flep- ping, + at 11:10 descended between the hills again.

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus May 13, 1946 Mt. Poso, Kern Co., Cal. F. near same spot. to 11:12, I saw 11 condors about (oo at least 13 total) 1 1/2 miles to SE. 8 were circling in one bunch. They glided N. in a loose group, strung out about 1 mile. at least 7 continued N- in direction of the "triangle". Two lasted behind. There were 3 vultures on ground near where I saw them this morning (about 1 mile to SE). One condor spiraled down, feet hanging, + landed in midst of vultures at 11:17 with 3+ gentle flaps. The vultures flew off as adult seconded but 3+ ed but it were on the ground again by 11:20. The second condor circled over but did not land or put feet down. By 11:23 the condor had walked about 60 yds. to N., occasionally stopping. It pecked desultorily at the ground area, then took off (11:23), flap-glided low over the hills, then circled & rose until 500+ ' over its takeoff spot at 11:29. Two vultures flew close to it for 2 1/2 minutes during first part, + 2 were still with it at 11:31 when the bird (an immature) commenced a northward fly glide. This bird was a "near-adult"; notch in center both secondaries, bilated; notch in left side of tail. This bird swung nearly over me (500+ ' up) where an swin. was circling, then continued toward the burn alone. By 2 p.m. I saw no more condors; fair wind, sometimes intermittent, temp- erature 77° F., sky 4/10 cirrus & cirro-stratus, haze dissolved (Bear Mtn. visible). From Mt. Poso, Adelaide

No text detected

ford 3104 Gymnogyps californianus May 13, 1946 Mt. Poso, Cal.f. Mtn. is prominent to the SSE & is apparently an import- ant point on flight path from Breckenridge - Bear Mtn area. By 4 p.m. saw no more though I searched the horizon every few minutes with binocs. Wind about 25 mile per hr. - stronger than usual - from NW. By 7:30 no cardors appeared & vultures were rare; sky 3/10 cirrus; wind missing (about 30 m.p.h.). Perhaps the cardors took advantage of the wind to go to an especially distant feeding ground, or perhaps they returned to roost by a "shot out", dry-passing the rolling hills as their updrafts were un- necessary. May 17, 1946 Berkeley, Cal.f. Mr. Richardson of Porterville said that about 20 yrs. ago he saw two cardors overhead on Tule Indian Reservation. He also said that he had had talked with John F.F. Latta of Bakers- ersfield about cardors, & that Latta might have historical information of value. Rollo Beck said he had once hunted cardors. May 20, 1946 Stanley Jewett told me that Bob Beck (sp.? ) , of Fish & Wildlife, now in Boise (?), told him that once he found a cardor buried in the sand, the wings chopped off. Mrs. Lindale said that Lloyd Tavis had lived much on San Emigdio ranch at Stok- dale. Yesterday I overheard Laidlaw Williams

1:25 - odx mm down mm mm mm xpo - 52:1 tby .pd mm z xp o ! de s - 08: 30 - 3 up; od x 2 mm. od. left L + L + t 7TV. w. sm.

Gymnogyps californianus May 20, 1946 Berkeley, Calif. telling someone that if they wanted to see caddars they should contact Leif Beyten at Fillmore. May 29, 1946 E. of Famoso, Calif. I drove from Delano to MacFarland, thence east ward on the Woody road until about 1 mile from the junction with Famoso - Woody road. Sky clear, fair N.W. breeze, air warm. My attention was attracted by about 8 milling turkey vulture about ½ mile E. of the road, & I stopped to watch. At least 5 of the vulture perched on the dry-greasy slope of a small hill, & at 1:25 I saw an adult cador circling 100' above them. At 1:30 this cador descended as if to alight about ¼ mile S. of the vulture & over a ridge from there. The cador spiraled with legs extended & wings strongly flexed, & once or twice gave a "dip" of wings. I saw an immature also disappear behind the same hill. About 1:30 the turkey vulture took off - perhaps dis- turbed by my presence - and then I saw 3 cadors rise from the area. These 3 were one adult with left wing [illegible], 1 imm., & one ?. They circled with the buzzards, then drifted off about ½ mile to S. & separate from the buzzards, then scattered & worked back toward the area where they rose. At 1:40 I saw one

No text detected

Gymnogyps californicus May 29, 1946 Nr. Mt. Poso, Cal'f. descent behind a hill & at 1:45 a second in the same locality as before (not especially as if to land). 1:55, I saw 2 soaring at about 200' alt- itute over same area. I walked about 1/4 mile E. of road to a knoll. I saw from there at 2:10 4 con- dors circling over the rolling hills 3/4 ± mile E. of me. They ranged from about 50 to 300' in altitude & were spread at least 1/2 mile. 2:18, 3 visible still, the adult with 2 gaps in left wing ("A") cir- cling low over the baldish hill where I first saw the condors today, & 2 about 1/2 mile to S. 2:20, a second was 300±' above "A", legs down, wings flexed, heading very slowly into the wind. Mt. Feltor was directly beyond the bald hill, & Breckenridge mtn. conspicuous to the SE. About 25 burros grazed near me. By 2:25 I saw neither condors nor turkey vultures in air so walked toward the bald hill. At 2:29 I saw 1, & about 2:32, 3 condors over the bald hill - a fourth rose from 3/8 ± mile S. of them & all circled at about 300' altitude. At 3:35, a lone vulture with them. 3:36, 3 circled, one about 1/2 mile N. of the 2. The southern two glided southward & I saw 2 others about 1/4 mile ahead of them also heading S. at about 300' altitude (2:40). I walked to the top of the bald knoll but saw no condors or vul-

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus May 29, 1946 Nr. Mt. Poso, Calif. two near - at 2:55 I saw one cawder descending apparently over the Little Creek area N. & somewhat E. of Mt. Poso. I returned toward the road & car. At 3:05 I saw 7 cawders circling in a group over where the 2:55 bird was. at 3:10, still 7 there, speed 1/2+ mile horizontally & 400+' vertically. 3:17, 3 still there & 2 others 1/2+ mile to NE of them - apparently scattering and/or descending. The 5 minutes+ as a group I believe unusually long. 3:17, 3 were circling about 1 mile E. of where the 7 were - low, possibly descending, & 1 was about 1/2 mile W. of them - no others visible. Fair NW breeze continued. I returned to car & drove on to junction of McFarland-Woody & Famoso-Woody roads. There was a sheep camp with about 500 sheep there just S. of Little Creek. I continued on 1/2 mile to E. & saw then one adult circling & rising over the ridge just S. of Little Creek. This adult had 4+ nicks in trailing edge of wing & # 7 (+) left primary was about half grown. This bird rose to 300+' & glided over the road to NW. Then I saw another adult flap-circling & rising over the flat ground near the road about 1/2 mile ahead of me. This bird soared away from the road & skimmed the foothills when a car went up the road. The cawder nearly met its shadow in gliding close to the slope per

No text detected

Ford 3/08 Gymnogyps californianus May 29, 1946 Nr. Mt. Poso, Calif. Hops under 10' from ground at times. This bird flapped up to 5 times occasionally, circled & rose over the N. slope, then I lost it (about 3:45 at 300+' above ridge S. of Little Creek). Near the spot from which this condor rose I found a turkey vulture feeding on a ground squirrel. The vulture pecked, then raised head & looked about, condor style, & held carcass down with foot. The squirrel was old but soft & had much meat remaining. The tail was separate from carcass & about distal 1/2 was in 1 piece. Head was separate from body & skull broken into 3 or more separate pieces. Internal organs apparently dried up. Hind leg & flank had apparently recently been nibbled on. I drove then to top of Mt. Poso, arriving at 4:18 p.m. I saw no condors from there by 5 p.m. the breeze remained fair. I visited my bait of 3 rabbits & 3 squirrels there - all were dry & crackly. The head of the picrablid had some meat removed. One squirrel had head removed and about half of brain cases missing. Another had one hind leg disarticulated & bare of meat. Otherwise, no sign of condor or other avian activity. I drove back to Delano. Both Poso & Little Creek still have a good stream of water. Until I approached Mt. Poso today I saw not one

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus May 29, 1946 Nr. Mt. Poso, Calif. ground squirrel - the poisoning must have been quite effective (or estimation?). 5:50 - I stopped on road about 50 yds. from a feeding turkey vulture. The bird flew a few seconds after I opened door. I examined the food - it was a soft but not rotten ground squirrel. The meat + skin was gone from most of the upper surface. Stomach remained in but other internal organs gone. Lower hind legs eaten down to ankles. Neck + bird head eaten. Skin of under side intact. Ribs mostly cleaned. This is freshest squirrel upon which I have seen a turkey vulture feed. May 30, 1946 (Memorial Day) Nr. Mt. Poso, Calif. My uncle & R Buckingham drove me from Delano to the junction of McFarland-Woody & Famoso - Woody roads. Arrived about 7:30, & by 7:50 I was stop a knoll about 1/4 mile S. of Little Creek from where I could see Mt. Poso about 2 miles to S. & from where I had watched before. Sky 3/10 cirrus & clearing, steady breeze of about 15 m.p.h. from South. Air warm (est. 70°). Saw one turkey vulture about 7:30 & about 2 others by 8 a.m. No sign of the sheep today - probably they moved nearer to Famoso. 4 or 5 sets of concrete foundations indicate that there has been oil exploration here in the past - its failure accounts for the uninhabited state

[illegible] 1 - LS:b

Gymnogyps californianus May 30, 1946 Nr. Mt. Poso, Calif. of three condors feeding grounds near. By 8:30 I saw several turkey vultures but no condors. 8:40, I saw 1 or 2 turkey vultures on the ground & appar- ently feeding on squirrels at 3 different spots just north of the road north of me - that area had not been poisoned yet when I last visited this area about 2 weeks ago. 8:47, I saw one probable condor about 2 miles E. of me gliding N. at horizon level. By 9:30, sky 7/10 cirro-stratus & breeze often absent for many minutes at a time - soaring conditions apparently poor in calm periods. Breeze was westerly by 9:40. At 9:57 I saw one about 1 mile N. of me at 800+ altitude gliding NW. I lost track of it after 3 or 4 minutes - at that time it seemed to be about over the power line about 1 mile N. of the McFarland-Woody road. Breeze had shifted to NW, & sky 7/10 cirrus. At 10:02 I saw same, or another, in that area, circling & wandering as if searching, & at 10:10 I saw a group of 4 near this one - so at least 5 seen at once. 10:15, I saw one circling about 2 miles NE of me at 500+ altitude & watched it until 10:20. The bird glided a mile or more to S. in a shallow glide, then circled without rising & gradually descended behind the hills there (about 2 miles to E. of me). 10:27 I saw

: 25 - I ad., ff. 4 nn., den 2 addt i mm in 4 TV. ad #8 loft pr., oppr. det, int tvl. : 30, ad 1 mm. 5 TV. af ft dmm. om att best.pn. : 31, ad 2 mm. 33, adt cm t N), efter m (i gten aft pr.) m- nmd 3/4 mbl s. N. 2 cscad & mora

Gymnogyps californianus May 30, 1946 Nr. Mt. Poso, Calif. one about 1 mile NE of me (same bird?) gliding NW at 500 ±' altitude. It continued on about 1½ miles (about over power line, 10:31) then circled 3 ± times & headed SW at 1000 ±' altitude. I lost it at 10:36 when it seemed about 1 mile SE of Repoth Corner. By 11:15 I saw no more. Some "plinkers" were shooting from a car about ½ mile W. of me. I walked N. across Little Creek & at 11:25 saw an adult condor flapping & circling as if it had risen from about ¼ mile N. of road. It crossed to the N. slope just S. of Little Creek & rose by circling. This bird had short left #8 primary, a gap in left wing next to body, a notch in right side of tail (<), & some other gaps. About 4 turkey vultures joined the condor, then an adult & imm. condor. The first adult left & another immature joined the remaining 2 condors. They circled & rose, working over the flat at 300 ±' altitude, adult with feet down. One imm. was dark & had a short right #8 primary. The other had a gap in left primaries, another in outer secondaries, & had a dark spot in the white underwing patches. Adult & imm. soared N. about 1 mile while the other (lost described) circled near me. I lost all to view about 10:11:35 -- the N. two were circling at 1000 ±' when last seen. About 85° estimated, sky 2/10 thin

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus May 30, 1946 N. Mt. Poso, Cal.f. aevis at 11:45. The gunmen among feeding raptors is bad - we can't protect all feeding areas from such. I hiked N. from the road and was about 3/8 (at 12:02) mile N. of it when I saw two adult raptors about 1/4 mile to W. of me circling over a ridge. The birds drafted downward in the circling wind until at the N. slope of ridge just S. of Little Creek. Then they circled & rose. Another adult appeared & circled above them, then when at 400' altitude glided E (at 12:06). At 12:07 the lower two were gliding E. too - over Little Creek. Retrogressing - shortly after seen first, one of this pair chased the other briefly. (Apparently minatures don't do this). I could identify none of these as birds I had seen earlier today tho didn't have too good a view. The pair glided to the E. end of the ridge (about 2 miles), then circled & rose until at about 2000' altitude, one 300' above the other. Then at 12:16 one headed W. & passed nearly over me. It gave one slow "dip" increase & accelerated much in horizontal velocity for several seconds thereafter. The bird was in a flyglide of course. It veered to NW, & then I saw another (of the pair probably) following 1/4 mile be- hind & 300' below. They continued on to NW until at least 2 miles from me (12:22 - estimated 3 miles in 6 minutes = 30 m.p.h.), then descended

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus May 30, 1946 Nr. Mt. Poso, Ca lt. two in a fast glide. The lower bird shot well ahead of the upper in descent. They seemed to be heading for the spot where I saw 5 earlier today. Retrogressing again - while the two circled nearby about 12:04; one stretched its legs far down once + retracted them in a few seconds. There seemed to be no effect on flight so I believe it was a "leg stretch"; the first I recall having seen in air - the legs were out much farther than the usual "legs down" attitude. A single turkey vulture circled above the two when they circled + rose to 2000+ ' about 12:15. I believe condors + vultures associate at roosts, feeding, in air currents, & other places because of similar interests & not because of sociability. I continued on cross-country to the power line near where it crosses McFarland - Woody road. By 2 p.m. I had seen no more condors - and only 2 or 3 turkey vultures. I saw the poisoning crew working about 1 mile N. of road at the power line. The crew consisted of 4 horsemen who rode about 100 ft. apart back & forth over the country. At squirrel burrows I saw much grain (oats) in the open up to 6 or 8' from burrow. Dead squirrels were rare in the country I traversed - I found one carcass apparently recently chewed by a vulture or condor - spine & tail were in one piece (+ a few ribs). I found no definite internal organs. Some pieces of skin were wet

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus May 30, 1946 Nr. Mt. Poso, Calif. and method of chewed. Skull was clean & broken. I liked on toward McFarland but saw neither can- dors nor turkey vultures the rest of the afternoon. The area N. of this road had "poison out" signs for several miles, & I saw no live squirrels there. May 31, 1946 Nr. Mt. Poso, Calif. At 8 a.m. I was stop some lowell as yesterday morning near junction of McFarland-Woody & Famoso- Woody roads. Sky 6/10 cirrus & cirro-stratus, fair S. breeze, & about 70°F. At 8 a.m. I saw 2 turkey vultures on ground, apparently feeding, & at least 2 others in air. 8:30 3 vultures at one spot & 5 at another about 500 yds. N. of Little Creek near me - so food apparently present. SE breeze con- tinued - this morning breeze would favor crows coming from the Breckenridge & Bear Mtn. areas. Then, later in the day, the usual NW breeze will favor their return to those mountains. At 9:53 I saw 1, then 2, about 2 miles to NE toward Blue Mtn., ending at 800' altitude. At 9:59 there were 3, a mile or so NW of first position. The birds then glided W., 1 followed by the 2nd about 1/2 mile behind. 9:03 there were 4 about 1 mile N. of me heading W.. At 9:06 they had grown to 6 - 4 adults & 2 immatures. These with 1 turkey vulture, circled together about

No text detected

Ford 3115 Gymnopus californicus May 31, 1946 N. Mt. Poso, Calif. 1 1/2 miles to N.W. of me, + rose higher, + drifted about a mile to E.. At 9:09 the group broke up & strung off to W., 1 or 2 at a time. In the groups, the 2 min. were 2nd. & 3rd. lowest birds. The micture trailed the bunch. The group scattered more than, and at 9:15 I saw 4 about 1 mile W. of the 9:09 position, scattered over about 1 square mile at 1000+ altitude. I watched one of these until 9:40. It glided to SW slowly for about 2 miles, circled & wandered in that vicinity at some high altitude, then glided fast to N. and at 9:32 was about at its 9:15 position. It continued on to N., then began wandering at lower altitude (300+)' apparently near the power line about 3 miles to NNW of me, & there I lost it at 9:40. By then sky was completely overcast with Cirro-stratus & a 20+ mph wind blew from S., & the mictures had disappeared from the near vicinity. At 10:27 I saw 2 condors circling about 3 miles to N. near the power line - and still at 10:45, wandering over the area at 300+ altitude. On a crossbar of one power line tower was perched an eagle or condor - probably the former - in that same vicinity. I left my stand at 11 a.m. & hiked northward, cross county. Spent some time hunting reptiles, so arrived about

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus May 31, 1946 2 miles NNW of my 11:00 position at about 12:55. The bird on power tower was a golden eagle. I saw then at least 4- possibly 7- condors circling low about 1 1/2 miles N. of me (about 2 miles N. of Mc Farland-Woody road at power line & 1/2 mile W. of power line). I saw 2 condors too on a dry-grassy ridge there, & I saw 3 others alight- 5 on ridge within about 20' at 12:59. The breeze had shifted to W. about 11 a.m. & to NW about 12:30. Sky 9/10 alto-cumulus & alto-stratus. Breeze at times absent- perhaps the condors were decid ed. I sat to watch. The condors walked about occasionally. at 1:14 I saw one fly at another- the other flopped about 15', then both alighted. one again flew up & flopped off about 20'; then alighted & walked back to the group. 1:28, 3 of the condors took off about 30 seconds apart & flew behind the ridge. The last took off to W., flapping hard, turned after about 10 flops, & continued to E. behind the hill still flapping (20+ flops on takeoff & turn). Two condors remained on ground as before. The poison crew rode by about 1/2 mile N. of me. 1:35, one condor landed about 20' to E. of the perched two & apparently walked over to the other 2. The 3 made a compact group. Fair breeze from NW. 1:41, 3 still on ground, perhaps 20' between birds. 1:49, a fourth condor alighted.

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus May 31, 1946 Nr. Mt. Poso, Calif. By the 3, 4 one perched one ran a few steps as if to get out of the way. 1:54, one soaring near the perched bunch- probably 1 of them as only 3 visible on ground. These are circled about 1/2 mile SW of the group then, 4 another soared near the bunch. 1:58, 4 visible on ground in a close group - these birds barely visible because of haze & heat waves at about 2 miles distance. 2:01, 1 corder + 3 vultures circling 200+ over the perched 3 (or 4). 2:03 the flying corder alighted in the bunch, I hiked toward the perched birds. at 2:35 I was just W. of the power line having come perhaps a mile, but the perched bird still appeared to be about 2 miles distant. There were at least 4 corders in the group - possibly 7 or 8 - and apparently 3+ Turkey vultures. I hiked 15 minutes more toward the group. At 3:05 I stopped to watch - there were 5 corders ooo o, one about 100' from the rest on a rounded grassy ridge about 1/4 mile N. of the Porterville- Bakersfield highway perhaps 2 1/2 miles N. of the McFarland road. There seemed to be a light colored object on the ground - a sheep carcass probably. I was still about 1/2 miles to SE of the birds. 3:10, only 4 visible, all at the carcass & occasionally tugging at it with bills. Two flew up flopping once & realighted. One took off at 3:17. Two took off 30 sec. later when first soared 50+ overhead, & the last at 3:15. One apparently realighted about 20'

[illegible] 14 - 1000, 2 ad., ff down. 07 - aff S, then E 1/2 m - the we -

Gymnogyps californianus May 31, 1946 Nr. Mt. Pso, Calif. from the carcass, then took off again at 3:17 & I saw 4 in air. All took off to SE downhill & downwind it seemed - with many flaps. 3:20- 4 in air, 2 at about 100' & 2 at about 400'; two turkey vultures slighed at carcass. 3:21, one vulture alighted between the two vultures at the carcass (they were 20±' apart). The vultures flapped off 10± seconds later. 3:22, a second vulture alighted. One stood at or on the carcass, apparently feeding, & the other stood 15±' away. The latter walked around the carcass & swung from side opposite to first vulture. Both flew side by side then. 3:30, one feeding, head down for about 5 seconds, then up for about 7-7 sec- onds, the other bird standing calmly alongside. Sky 6/10 cerous, fair NW breeze, visibility best of the day. 3:40, both apparently feeding side by side. 3:45, both at carcass still, apparently feeding, sometimes on opposite sides of carcass & sometimes on same side. I walked again, keeping the vultures in sight. At 4:07 they took off, one about 15 sec. after the other, when I was about 1 mile away. The birds took off to SE, downwind & downhill, then turned E. & flapped with few pauses for about ½ mile, then circled and began to rise. At 4:14, they were at about 1,000' altitude, about 1 ½ miles ESE of the carcass. They continued to circle & rise. Both were adults.

No text detected

Gymnogyps californianus March May 31, 1946 Nr. Mt. Poso Cal P. They set off in a glide toward Breckenridge Mtn. until about 7 miles from me & at 2000' altitude. at 4:22 Then they circled again - and I lost them. The NW breeze continued. The carcass was about 1 mile N. of a farmhouse - I did not have time to visit it. There were a few cattle in this area. June 1, 1946 E. of McFarland, Calif. At 6:30 a.m. I visited the carcass where I saw condors & turkey vultures yesterday - it proved to be a calf, still in the soft-hoofed stage. The hide was brown & white Hereford. The location was about 8½ miles E. of McFarland, about ½ mile W. of Porterville road, & 2 ½ miles N. of McFarland- Woody road. The remains were on a rounded ridge crowned with 3" cropped dry grass & higher dry wild volunteer oats. The slope was about 5%. There was a barbed wire fence about 200 yds. to W. & a farmhouse about 1 mile to S. The town of McFarland was clearly visible from there. The remains were in a sink for stream? about 750 yds. Apparently the carcass first lay at the uphill end. There I found many tufts of hair & hide, about 20 pieces of condor-like down, a condor secondary, 2 condor "lockets", & a few turkey vulture feathers. 100' down 50' the slope from this was one remains, & 50' further the other remains. These were nearly cleaned & appear

No text detected

No text detected

No text detected

No text detected

No text detected

No text detected