The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1908-08-25


birds are an extremely rare species,
entirely different both in size and
plumage from the vulture OF the
Andes. The condors total disap-
pearance seems now to be only a
question of years. In fact, it is be-
lieved that this species now numbers
only thirty individuals Before long
the condor of California must join
such extinct races as the epyornis of
Madagascar and the dronte OF Isle
Maurice. It's eggs, eagerly sought
after by collectors, are worth from
$3.50 to $500 apiece, price that
sufficiently explains why egg-hunters
are willing to brave the dangers of
almost inaccessible heights in order
to. reach their nests.
William L. Finley is the young and
active president of the Oregon Audi
bon Society, league formed for the
protection of wild animals still extant
on American soil, whose future is
threatened by hunters and trappers.
Convinced that a full study of
these rare birds would prove an in
valuable document in view of their
expected disappearance, Mr.. Finley
determined to make personal in
yestigation as to their habits and has
put his project into execution
Accompanied by guide and
equipped with complete photogra-
phic outfit he left Marietta ranch, in
Southern California, on March 10.
His objective point was the San
Bernadino Mountains. Next morn
Ing he reached the entrance of the
canyon of Carnello, where he had
been informed by Indians that two
condors had been sighted
Condor is Discovered.
After two hours climb up ragged
cliffs he found himself on top of the
mountain. The search commenced
amid mass of denuded rocks and
labyrinth OF ravines and precipices
The two men were on the point of
giving up the quest when the idea
occurred to Mr.. Finley of firing three
pistol shots.
A few minutes after The triple ex-
plosion had awakened the mountain
echoes the Mexican uttered cry of
joy. Some thousand yards in front
a bird of huge size, risen from the
canyon, poised itself on the top of a
rock. Then, resuming it's heavy
fight, it described a number of cir
Giles. and disappeared further away
in the depths of the abyss. But not
before Mr. Finley had identified it,
through his glasses, as condor.
According to the experienced Mex
lean the nest must be somewhere in
the immediate neighborhood. Re-
gaining confidence the two men
struggled on to reach the ravine in
which the bird had disappeared.
Clinging to the edges of the rocks
along the almost perpendicular noun
tain side they at last reached 1t,
Again Mr.. Finley fired three shots.
Ready to Pounce on Them.
Suddenly, few yards above them,
they heard agreat fluttering of wings.
Looking up they saw the bird, with
bristling plumage, perched in front
of the opening of crevice, as if
making ready to pounce upon them
AS they had come only to observe
they took care not to further anger
the condor, which, on its side, did
not stir.
The first part of their program had
been realized by this happy encoun-
ter. AS the bird did not fly at sight
of the hunters the crevice undoubt-
eddy sheltered it's nest. Within that
nest there must be an egg, perhaps
ready to hatch. Mr.. Finley was able
to convince himself of this fact by
scaling the rock on which the condor
was still keeping guard. On a bed
of dry leaves and feathers-that is all
a condor's nest consists of-he was
able to discern large blush egg.
Buoyed with hope he retraced his
steps down the periious descent with
the intention of returning agaiL. On
his subsequent trip, which was de-
layed three weeks by bad weather,
slinging to the roots of shrubs and
the corners of rocks--having first
taken the precaution to attach his
companion to, him by long rope
Mr.. Finley reached the slab which
formed sort of terrace before the
crevice. This time he surprised the
condor on the nest He noticed a
bare, pink head and it's ferocious
looking eyes. And he could hardly
repress a cry of JOY when the mother,
rising to her feet, uncovered a little
ball of white down, still sticky with
albumen amid the debris of egg
shells.
But the light was too feeble in this
cavity to permit him to use his cam
era successfully. How could he per-
suade the newly born to come and
pose in the open? Not yet was it
strong enough to lift itself on it's rosy
talons. And the mother, her eyes
afame, seemed preparing to defend
her progeny with beak and claws.
Handles the Hedging.
Mr.. Finley did not abandon his
task. Advancing inch by inch he
crawled toward the end of the crew
ice. He arrived so close to the moth
er that he could have touched her by
extending his hand. Emboldened, he
delicately took hold of the little one,
and slowly pushed himself backward
toward the terrace. He deposited the
prize in the sunlight, and after TAX
ing five snapshots. brought it back to
the enraged mother.
Little was required to turn this