. Birds the world over, as shown in habitat groups in Chicago Natural History Museum. Birds. lixhibit in Chicago Natural History Museum California Condor California condors have many claims to distinction. They are the largest of all the birds of prey, with the possible exception of a related species that inhabits the Andes of South America. Few birds of flight, in fact, exceed these great vultures in size. A mature individual weighs about twenty-five pounds and may have a wing spread measuring as much as eleven feet. The recorded history of the California condor, unfortunately, is similar to
. Birds the world over, as shown in habitat groups in Chicago Natural History Museum. Birds. lixhibit in Chicago Natural History Museum California Condor California condors have many claims to distinction. They are the largest of all the birds of prey, with the possible exception of a related species that inhabits the Andes of South America. Few birds of flight, in fact, exceed these great vultures in size. A mature individual weighs about twenty-five pounds and may have a wing spread measuring as much as eleven feet. The recorded history of the California condor, unfortunately, is similar to that of various other birds that have been decimated by man in recent decades. The species formerly ranged throughout the west from British Columbia south to Lower Califor- nia, and eastward to Alberta and New Mexico. Fossil remains from St. Petersburg, Florida, indicate an even wider distribution in prehistoric times. Although never so abundant as other vultures, California condors were by no means rare west of the Rocky Mountains during the early pioneer years when scores of individuals often gathered about a hunter's kill. California condors became increasingly rare after the middle of the last century. Many were killed by early prospectors who found that the hollow wing quills made convenient containers for gold dust. Frontiersmen shot countless others for sport, and were destroyed by poisoned meat intended for animal predators. Within a few [42 1. Please note that these images are extracted from scanned page images that may have been digitally enhanced for readability - coloration and appearance of these illustrations may not perfectly resemble the original Chicago Natural History Museum; Rand, Austin Loomer, 1905-1982; Blake, Emmet Reid, 1908-. [Chicago]
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