Popular official guide to the New York Zoological Park

Abstract

Ninth Edition (1907), P. 146: "Miscellaneous Birds in the Ostrich House.--The California Condor is kept here in winter, but in summer it will be found either in the Flying Cage, or in an outdoor cage on the eastern side of the Aquatic Bird House. This is by far the rarest, and to all Americans the most interesting, bird of prey in the Park. The species is confined to a very small area in the rugged mountains of southern and lower California, and beyond all doubt, the skin-collecting ornithologists will exterminate it within the next twenty years, or less. The bird-lovers love it so much that in the presence of opportunity few of them have the iron resolution to let it alone." NOTE: The description in the Tenth (1909), Eleventh (1911), and Thirteenth (1915) editions is similar, but in 1911 plans were to move California condors to the new Eagle and Vulture Aviary: "This long-needed structure has been scheduled for erection and completion in 1911, and on June 1 work on it was in full progress. It will stand in the open glade, but well surrounded by forest trees, in Bird Valley, between the Aquatic Bird House and the new Zebra House. Its length over all is 210 feet. It has seven very large flight cages and six smaller ones. The largest cages are 24 feet wide, 33 feet deep and 31 feet high. In the rear of the great wire structure will stand a very comfortable brick building to serve as a winter shelter for the tropical birds in the collection; but it will not be open to the public."