March 1929

YOSEMITE. NATURE NOTES

I' olume VIII March 1929 Number 3

This is the official publication of the Educational Department of Yosemite National Park. It is published each month by the National Park Service with the cooperation of the Yosemite Natural History Association, and its purpose is to simply dependable information on the natural history and scientific features of Yosemite National Park. The articles published herein are not copyrighted as it is intended that they shall, be freely used by the press. Communications' should be addressed to C. P. Russell, Park Naturalist Yosemite National Park, California.

F. P. LEAVITT

Acting Superrntendel i

YOSEMITE NATURE NOTES THE PUBLICATION OF THE YOSEMITE EDUCATIONAL DEPARTMENT AND THE YOSEMITE NATURAL HISTORY ASSOCIATION

Published monthly Volume VIII March 1929 Number 1

MORE, NOTES ON TIOGA MINING HI S TORY

By Grant H. Smith

A VISIT TO TIOGA MINE

Carl P. Russell, Park Naturalist, dlebag Lake, at an elevation of Yosemite, Calif.—My Dear Russell : 10,000 feet, I managed to pull, coax The statement in a recent number and drag that horse up the great of "Yosemite Nature Notes" that red mountain which lies to the east Judge Rule, an old-timer in the of Saddlebag, and over the top. Mono Lake region, had given to the ll,500 feet high, where I was caught museum at Yosemite a file of the in a snowstorm; thence down Lake "Homer Mining Index," a newsCanyon to Lake Lundy, which lies paper which began publication at an elevation of 7500 feet. about fifty years ago in the mining It was a long and exhausting camp of Lundy,, brought to mind day's work, and I felt a little proud an interesting incident of long ago. of the trip until someone called to About the first of August, 1917, my mind the fact that in February after a vacation with the Sierra or March, 1880, a ponderous corn Club in Tuolumne Meadows, I was pressor and boiler, weighing several seized with a desire. to see the thousand pounds, had been dragged Tioga mine, about which I had over, the snow over the same route, heard so much in my boyhood days from Lake Lundy to Saddlebag in Bodie, and to revisit the streams Lake, and thence four miles below and lakes at Lundy and Virginia to the Tioga mine, where they were Creek, where-I used to fish. driving the big tunnel. Unless one I obtained a horse and, with sleephas been over that mountain, one ing bag,. grub and' fishing tackle, can hardly realize what a tremen started on my trip. Though so late dour feat that was. In summer the in, the season, the croppings of the thing would have been impossible. Tioga mine were partly covered as the route was indescribably with snow (the elevation is nearly rough and steep ll,000 feet), but even a cursory exJ. C. Kemp Van Ee, then manamination told the story of its ager of the Tioga t..iine, required a failure, compressor in order to use power The next day, starting from Saddrills in the tunnel. There was no 2g

road to Tioga in those days, either discontinued (about 1884) and has from the west or from the east, and never been resumed. Evidently, dehe conceived the idea of taking the velopments in the tunnel were not machinery over the mountain on encouraging, and a further investisleds at the end of winter. Espegation of the entire property concially prepared hardwood sleds vinced the Eastern investors that were built and, with a crew of men, the mine would not pay. a horse and necessary equipment, In that region, however, in 1879 they made the trip, a distance of and 1880, the stories that were told about ten miles, in seventeen days, of the riches of the Taiga were without accident, although hourly fabulous. It was confidently stated menaced by snow slides that would that a great body of ore cropped on have engulfed the whole party. It the surface that was three hundred must be remembered that they not feet wide, a mile or more in length, only had to drag the heavy machinand of unknown depth, and all of ery, but tents, bedding and supplies the value of several hundred dol. for the men and horses, as well, in lars a ton. Men easily figured the addition to a quantity of heavy value of the mine, on that basis, at rope, a winch, blocks and tackle, billions of dollars. The remoteness etc. and inaccessibility of the property There was a complete write-up of added allurement to the tales. the episode in the "Hornet Miring In those days the mountains, in Index" of February or March, 1880; the vicinity of Tioga, Lundy and and I trust that you will reprint it Virginia Creek swarmed with piesfor the wondering eyes of the Ares pectors and miners, all spurred oy ent generation, that has little congreat hopes, but practically all were ception of the perils, hardships and doomed to disappointment, as but achievements of the pioneers—for one real mine, the May Lundy, was the men of those days were the piofound in that region, and that had neersof that region. a checkered career. After the tunnel, which was deWith best wishes, I am cordially signed to tap the Tioga veins at yours, great depth; had penetrated the

GRANT H. SMITH.

mountain about 1700 feet, work was January 16, 1929.

"TREMENDUOUS TASK TRANSPORTING GREAT SIERRA MACHINER I ACROSS THE SNOWY MOUNTAINS"

(Editor's Note—It happens that mountains in mid-winter, where no the item requested by Mr. Smith is roads exist, over vast field and huge to be found in the "Homer Mining embankments of yielding snow, and Index" of March 4,.1882. and is in the face of furious wind storms available in the Yosemite Museum laden with drifting snow, and the files. Believing that many Sierra mercury dancing attendance on enthusiasts will find it interesting, zero, is a. task calculated to appall it is reproduced below.) the sturdiest mountaineer; and yet, "The transportation of 16,000 J. C. Kemp, manager of the Great pounds. of machinery across one of Sierra. Consolidated Silver Company the highest and most rugged of Tioga is now etigaged in such an branches of the Sierra Nevada undertaking, and with every pros-

YOSEMITE4 ATURE NOTES

pect of perfect success 'at an early engine, boiler, air• compressor, Inday—so complete has been the argersoll drills, iron pipe, etc., for use rangement of details and so intelin driving the Great Sierra tunnel. ligently directed is every movement. It is being transported on six heavy The first ascent, from Mill Creek sleds admirably constructed of to the mouth of Lake Canyon, is hardwood. Another, or, rather, a 990 feet, almost perpendicular. pair, of bobsleds accompanies the From that point to the south end of expedition, the latter being laden Lake Oneida, a distance of about with bedding, provisions, cooking two miles, is a rise of 845 feet— utensils, etc. The heaviest load is most of it in two hills, aggregating 4200 pounds. Ten or twelve men half a mile in distance. The matwo mules, 4500 feet of one-inch chinery will 'probably be hoisted 'Manila. rope, heavy double block straight up to the summit of Mount and tackle, and all the available Warren ridge from the southwest trees along the route are employed shore of Lake Oneida, an almost in "snaking" the machinery up the vertical rise of 2160 feet. From the mountain—the whole being under summit the descent will be made the immediate supervision of Mr to Saddlebags Lake, thence down Kemp, who remains at the front to and alongLee Vining creek to and personally directs every movethe gap or pass in the dividing ment. It is expected that all the ridge between Lee Vining and sleds will be got up into Lake CanSlate creeks, and from that point to yon today, and then the work will Tunnel, a distance of about one be pushed day and night, with two mile, is a rise of about 800 feet— shifts of men Meantime, the tunmost of it in the first quarter of a no] is being driver! day and night, mile. The machinery consists of an with three shifts co ten under Jeff McClelland."

BLUE-FRONTED JAYS AND PINE NUTS

By Enid Michael On the morning of February 15 pluck out the nuts. As the birds the great pine that stands back of cracked the pine nuts, the seedthe postoffice was the gathering wings were cast aside to come flutplace of the blue-fronted jays tCyatering and pin-wheeling toward the nocitta stelleri frontalis). There earth. Occasionally a seed-wing were at least 50 birds in this one came down with the nut atta.cned. tree, having gathered here for but in almost every case these mils breakfast. They buzzed about like were cast-offs for, on examination, bees, gathering to feast on bloom- - they -proved to be empty shells, the ing manzanitas. After a week of kernel, for some reason, never ha vwarm, sunny days, the cones of the ing developed. The wise jays evigreat pine were opening to cast dently knew by the weight of these their seeds upon the wind, and the nuts that it would be a waste of jays were on hand to take their toll time to crack them. of the fruit. While the jays-were all very busy Swinging at the ends of the extracting and cracking nuts, they boughs, the jays would poke their did manage to find time to exbills between the cone scales and change a bit of gossip.

I t-S.I.:Ml1 b NATURE NOTES

CALIFORNIA NUTMEG

Re William C. Gndfrev The California nutmeg (tumiors Florida and the other to California. califorri cum), like the great SeAlthough always a rare tree, it i :: quotas, seems tc find within the found in California from Big river, boundaries of the state of CaliforMendocino county, south to the nia that which is most necessary Santa Cruz mountains in Santa for its existence. Trees of this Clara county, and In the Sierras at group are of ancient origin. Reelevations of from 2000 to 4500 feet lated species inhabited the Arctic above sea level, extending frosr. zone in the tertiary period, and Tehama county along the west slope, south to the Kings river region. Along the Coast Range, as in the Sierras, it is found In small, dense thickets, alone, or may occur mixture with canyon live oak, white alder, western sycamore and broad leaf maple. In this environment it is more readily distinguishable than at higher elevations inthe rocky canyons of the Sierras, where the presence of white fir (abies concolor) and Douglas fir (pseudotsuga taxiiolia) might easily lead one - to associate the California nutmeg with these conifers. Very tolerant of the shade k throughout its life, it is found in moist, gravelly, or sandy gulches, springy coves and narrow, watered RRk canyons. In crown structure it differs slightly from that of a stunted fir. In youth and middle age it has an open, wide, pyramidal crown. CALIFORNIA NUT v3hG which, in the open, extends to the Very old tree along all-year highground. The slender branches stand way in Yosemite below Coulterville out rather straight from the trunk road. In lower corner is foliage and and are somewhat droopng at their fruit of California nutmeg. extremities. later, portions of Europe. There, Crowded in a dense stand, it too, they became extinct. This disbears a short, conical crown and tinguished evergreen was originally a clear trunk, while old trees under erroneously classified under the such conditions have rounded, generic name torreya. Only a few dome-like tops. The trunks, which years ago it was found that this are rarely straight, are clear of name had previously been applied branches for two-thirds of their to an entirely different plant. Two length, and are from 35 to 50 feet species only are indigenous to the high and from 8 to 20 inches In diUnited States: one :s confined to ameter. Under condition esp.-

?(~ cialy favorable for growth, it is broad-leaf plants. The fruit mafrom 75 to 80 feet high and from tunes by early autumn of the first 2 to 3 feet in diameter, but such season, when It is pale, yellowish dimensions are exceedingly rare. green with irregular, dull purple The bark, one-third to five-eighths streaks. It is about an inch to an of an inch thick, is finely checked inch and three quarters in length, with narrow seams and short, scaly with thin, leathery covering; the ridges with frequent side connectough skin of the fruit is resinous, tions. outwardly weathered to an and the seed has a smooth, hard ashy, yellowish brown, shell. Seed kernels are characterThe glossy leaves are lanceistically wrinkled, the surface apshaped and sharply pointed and pearing to be infolded as in the nutare deep yellowish-green in color. meg. The tough, stringy stems This lance-like appearance and the were used as bow material by the keen point immediately distinguish Indians of these regions. the foliage of the California nutThose who visite the Yosemite National Park may find this very meg from that of fir—quite as dire interesting tree growing in the tinctly as does the disagreebale, Merced river canyon, along the allaromatic odor emanating from a bruise of the branchlet or bark : year highway between El Portal, at b the park entrance, and Cascade this odor is responsible for the corncreek, above the old Coulterville mon reference to California nutroad—an area typical of the semeg as "stinking cedar" and eluded sections throughout the "stinking yew." Sierra where this very rare repreCalifornia nutmeg is so named sentative of an ancient lineage from the fanciful resemblance of continues the struggle for existence its seed-kernel to the nutmeg of as though to compete with its very commerce, which belongs to a difancient neighbors, the great Seferent and unrelated family of auola.

NOTES OF A MID-WINTER WANDERER IN YOSEMITE VALLEY

By George M. Wright The dotted canyon wrens (Cathwren map of Yosemite. The Aherpes mexicanus punctulatus) live wahnee Hotel with its rock maan abundant existence on Yosemite amity mirrors in miniature the wall. And the valley floor is like great surrounding cliffs of Royal an ocean upon which they venture Arches, Washington Column and in search of new lands to conquer. Glacier Point. Like an island volonce family cares are over for the cano it has arisen almost over season. It Is like the nations of night. Its chimneys are crater history whose crowded environs vents still belching forth their occaused their peoples to seek new casional smoke. And its very newlands for colonization. ness would tend to make it devoid In former years explorations on of life as a land new created. the flat valley floor did not bear the Were it not for man's increasing fruits of great discovery for the realization that every attempt to wandering wren. But 1928 Columharmonize his edifices with surbuses have added to the canyon rounding nature will bring a closer

YOSEMITE NATURE NOTE;

approach to ideal beauty, the island charmed by the things that are in Ahwahnee might have been listed themselves possessed of life. in bird geographies as a land u.iGreat is the delight and cherishinhabited. But the granite melts ed the experience of the sophistiwere so laid in that only the cated city dweller who, looking out weathered, lichen-covered surfaces of his window to marvel at Hal were expcsed Thus were provided Dome, freezes spell bound to the suitable surroundings for populaimminent cheery presence of a can lions of the.various forms of lire Yon wren as it pokes an eager cur. which constitute orthodox canyon ions little head and long curved bill wren diet. around the casement corner to This may help to account for the gaze and bob and twist and gaily frequency of their visits and especislink away again. His energetic ally for their long contented hugerlittle body, clothed so neatly in' a lags The habitual rocks and food white dickey and suit of 'chestnut are there. If only some suitable brown, intricately barred and marknesting sites are to be found tucked with dusky spottings, is a breath ed away under the eves and in da :n taking surprise at close range. The corners, wren reactors will suz•C.I.,J clear, ringing cascade of song Ilk advertise "An ideal place to ran..! erred to a "spray of waterfall in the veer children as well as an exc-usunlight," by one writer, beggars slue fall and winter resort." this as it does every other attemptWhat medal could more perfectly ed description. l;ecognize an architect 's attempt to Merrily the wren goes along exmake his structpre a symphony ploring every dark hole on the way with its natural surroundings than without fear or trembling. So it is Its eager occupancy by the native that he will take advantage of hall wild things? door or open window to investigate • It is one thing to stud a building rugs and tables, dressers and overwith cornices, embosssments and stuffed chairs in the chambered refilagree designs which are after all cess of this magical new island. but imperfect crystallizations of imAhwahnee. pressions originating in nature's The shingled dwelling is friendly architecture, but how much more to ' the woodpecker; the church effective it is to decorate it with tower is a solemn retreat for the the wild creatures whose wonderful "owl, and the bridge arches over the perfection man has never been able black phoebe's nest, but the Ah to reproduce. And we are all most wahnee Hotel belongs to the dotted canyon wren.

BAI\D,TA ILED PIGEONS

E v,En'd Michael One of the avian features of the winter sun trail. With a clatter of winter has been the great flocks of wings the pigeons tumble suddenly band-tailed piegons (Columba fasout,from the crown of some densely elate. faseiata) that spend their days foliaged fir. Then as they get along the warm oak-covered slopes under way they fall into orderly of the north wall. These bandflight formation and all come tailed pigeons are still here and sweeping overhead. As they fly tomany • a morning, they give us a ward a rising sun their breasts take grand chow as we walk along the on a rosy glint of dolor and there

is a soft swish of sound like the against a bank of white clouds. rustle of fine silk. The leader Again the flock turns and comes pigeon turns and the flock swings winging back into the sunshine. As into a wide circle out over the valthe birds near the north wall the ley. The birds head down the valflock formation breaks and pigley, going like the wind. They fade eons come tumbling pell-mell out of almost from view in the black the sky. As the birds approach the shadows of the great south wall cliff there is a wild fluttering of and then suddenly, what a thrill as wings and a spread of banded tails the great flock leaps into silhouette as they settle in the oaks.

SOME NOTES ON THE SONG OF THE PACIFIC BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK

By Ralph Teall There is no pleasure quite so grosbeak with the female sitting sweet for the young bird student as on the eggs, and the male perched to find in the notes of an experion a nearby limb, singing his own enced observer corroboration for song but with the wonderfully an unusual field observation. With modified song quality I had althe discovery in Dawson's "Birds ready observed. As I approached of California" of a description of a the tree, the mocking bird phrases rare song performance of the ceased, and the only song heard Black-headed Grosbeak closely corduring the entire remainder of the responding with one which I mytime I listened was this song of the self had heard only a few weeks male grosbeak. For lack of a Letago, that pleasure has become mine. ter explanation I assumed that I Late in the afternoon of June 6, had missed the bird whose song I about two-thirds of the way from had heard in the first place and Camp Curry to the ledge chimney Lhat by some strange agency the on the Ledge trail, I was arrested grosbeak had learned to sweeter by hearing one of the sweetest bird its phrase from hearing the im songs I have ever yet encountered provement wrought by its neighbor. Many of the phrases were distinctOther bird students to whom i ly reminiscent of the best work of described my experience were una common house canary, the genable to offer any more satisfactory era] outline of the song was very explanation than that I had heard much like that of the mocking bird a somewhat typical song of a save that the tone quality was inTownsend Solitaire. There were finitely finer and sweeter, but the several reasons why this explanamost characteristic feature of the tion seemed inadequate; the song song was the more or less constant had issued from the limbs of a recurrence of phrases distinctly Kellog oak about twenty feet or borrowed from the song of the less from the ground, the oak was Black-headed Grosbeak, although located in the middle of a more or sweeter in quality than any grosless bare granite talus slope, there beak song I had ever heard before. were no large firs or pines such as In the tree from which the song are generally considered typical had seemed to come, I was resolitaire associations anywhere in warded by finding the neat of a the immediate neighborhood.

YOi.M1T1: NATURE NOTES In Dawson's discussion of the hearty, homely, rolling song of his song of the Black-headed Grosbeak species, but he graced it anew will this description occurs : "Once at every repetition, as became a highthe foot of Mt. Shasta 1 listened ly accomplished artist." to a perfectly wonderful song of Circumstantial evidence is never the Black-headed Grosbeak... entirely satisfactory; but this parthe singer was, undoubtedly, s bird titular bit was to me so convincing of 10,000, for his voice was fine and that, although the grosbeak was exquisitely flexible, so that he exenot actually observed in the busicuted the most brilliant trills and ness of singing the canary phrases. appogiaturas. Although 1 am loath I feel little hesitancy in ascribing to institute such a comparison, I the unusual song to him. Corroboam bound to confess that much of ration from Mr. Dawson's similar his music was like that of a highexperience has only tended tc ly trained canary, for it was britstrengthen that impression and has liant, crystalline, exquisitely moduserved to increase greatly my own lated and highly varied. This bird regard for the grosbeak's prowess was not at all above giving the as a songster

MOUNTAIN HEMLOCK

By William C. Godfrey The trees of more widely known head of north or east canyons in varieties which come to our attenmoist places where snowbanks lintion along the automobile roads in ger until early, or, even late, sumYosemite are no more worthy of admer. It usually occurs in small, miration than are the sub-alpine pure, somewhat open groves or varieties, which may be reached clustered groups of limited extent. only by trail. Most beloved among The most characteristic of these the trees of higher elevations is the trees retain their lowermost mountain hemlock (Tsuga mertenbranches and are readily recognized siana). by their habit of growth, pyramidal To arrive at the summit of a at base, but narrowed above, with ridge along the well-constructed drooping branchlets and pendulous, trails in Yosemite's back country whip-like leader. The crowns are and find opening up before one a usually dense throughout and someview of the more familiar domes times remarkably slender, presentand peaks through a foreground of ing the appearance of slim columns these strange, yet beautiful trees, is of foliage fifteen to thirty feet high a real reward for the lover of the and sometimes not exceeding two out-of-doors. The apparent softness feet in diameter except at the broad of the foliage and the graceful base. droop of the branchlets of this high The leaves have a short but discountry inhabitant lend to the tinet stem, like other hemlocks, in rocky landscape a charm that is contrast to the stemless leaves of rare, indeed. the spruces and firs. But instead The mountain hemlock is a Umof the thin, flat, two-ranked leaves berline tree, inhabiting high slopes of other hemlocks, this species has (chiefly protected situations) at the thick, angular leaves growing all

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Y06EMITE NATURE NOTES

around the twigs. Cones are borne north into Alaska and east to Monin the top of the tree,, sometimes tana. forming heavy clusters. The bole is usually from ten to twenty inches in diameter at the base and from twenty-five to sixty feet high, although in favorable situations it sometimes grows to a diameter of forty inches and a height of 125 feet. On bleak summits it rears its head only a few feet or sprawls on the ground. Despite the severe climatic conditions and its small size, it clings to life and grows to a great age, but there is no reliable knowledge in regard to its growth and length of life. In California the mountain hemlock is found at an altitude of from 8000 to ll,000 feet at the southernmost extent of its range, and at from 6000 to 10,000 feet in the northern mountains. Its range extends from the south fork of Kings river northward to Siskiyou county. Beyond our borders it ranges far TIlE COYOTE By William C. Godfrey The coyote stands second among On the other hand, in squirrel the bur-bearing animals of OaliIorinfested country, the coyote is a nia. Certain pelts have brought benefit. If we kill all of the coytrappers as much as $20 a piece. In otes, we, ourselves, must face the order to bring such a price, the problem of accounting for the thoupelts must be prime and properly sands of ground squirrel and jackprepared. rabbits which the coyote now deThe coyote is the most widely disstroys annually. tributed of the predatory animals The coyote is not necessarily of California and is found to exist a bad citizen, and control, rather in greatr or less numbers in practhan extermination, should be our tically every county in the state aim. A Menace and a Benefit There are three recognized races On the sheep range the coyote is of coyotes in California. a menace, especially on the bedding The Mountain Coyote (Canis latgrounds. Lanterns and scarecrows rans lestes), often wrongly called are effectively placed during the "gray wolf," is found in most of night for the purpose of keeping Northern California and south this midnight prowler away. along the high parts of the Sierra

MOUNTAIN HEMLOCK

Nevada. February and March represent the The Valley Coyote (Canis ochro-'main mating season, although matput ochropus) ranges throughout ing has been noted as early as the the foothills and lowlands of CaliMiddle of January and as late as fornia, west of the higher Sierra the first of May. Breeding dens are Nevada, and south to the Mexican carefully selected by the female line. with a view to effective concealThe Desert Coyote (Canis orchroment. pus ester) lives on the Colorado and The location and construction of Mohave deserts west to Antelope the den varies with the topography valley and north into Inyo county. of the country. For instance, in the The Mountain Coyote, well furred, mountains, a cave or a rocky slope large and aggressive, is the race might be used, or the stump of a which is of most economic impordead tree hollowed at the base, tance. The Valley and Desert Coywhile on the plains, the den is most ote, being more cowardly, come less likely to be cave-like in construcin conflict with man's interests. As tion, with several entrances, or with they live in the warmer districts one entrance burrowed into the of the state, their pelts, also, are earth and extending to the nest of less value. cavity, usually a distance of from The coyote is by no means a vege12 to 20 feet. tarian, nor does he hold strictly to Normally, but one litter of from a meat diet. The flesh of nearly all three to nine young is raised each wild and domestic game birds and season. The young coyotes are often animals, many insects, lizards, and moved by the mother from the old snakes, as well as numerous vaden to a new locality, and especialrieties of both wild and cultivated ly is this true when to the knowfruits, make it possible for him to ledge of the ever-suspending mother exist under changing conditions to the den has been visited by a huwhich he is quick to adjust himself. man. Breed in the Early Year The sharp, shrill bark of the coyThe breeding season of the coyote ote echoes through the hills and varies corisiderably with ' locality. into the valleys of California, seemThose living in the low, warm valingly to awaken the spirt of that ley breed several weeks earlier romantic past, the days of the pa than those living in the mountains. dre, when the coyote was referred to as "Senor Yip Yap." The Striped Skunk Valuable for the attractive markover for its smell gun, which ings of its body and the durability used only on the defensive. Thougn of its fur, the skunk (Mephitis octhe skunk usually gives fair warncidentalis) holds first place as a ing, wild creatures prefer to let him California fur-bearer. Yet it falls alone rather than Invite a volley short of becoming a popular favofrom his famous breech loader. rite in its local environment, for Because of body stripings and the reason that it is feared by all the famous smell gun, the identity other animals. of the skunk is not difficult of deThe skunk is famous the world termination

SLEEPING CHAMBER OF THE CALIFORNIA WOODPECKER

By Enid Michael In order to winter through safely In the selection of a home site, in a cold country, two requirements in most cases the judgment of the are necessary to man, bird and California woodpecker is good, but beast. Now the California woodhe is not infallible; at least, so it pecker (Melanerpes formicivorus would seem from one example that bairdi), with its store of acorns, has came to our attention. We were guaranteed the first requirement, walking up the road on the mornAlso, in.his wisdom he has solved ing of December 2, 1928, when our the problem of shelter. That woodears caught the sound of gentle peckers drill their own nest-holes is tappings. Although the sound of a well-known fact, but perhaps it is tapping apparently 'came from dinot generally known that they also rectly overhead, we could locate no carve out holes to be used as bedwoodpecker at work. Soon, howchambers and places of shelter durever, a shower of chips came drifting stormy weather. ing down, and, looking up, we For a number of years Mr. caught sight of the freshly cut hole. Michael and I have been observing The woodpecker was quite lost in the activities of California woodthe depths of his chamber, and he peckers in the Yosemite Valley. One was only seen when he came to the spring three California woodpeckers doorway to scatter a fresh shower (two males and a female), each of chips The dead limb in which working in turn, drilled a nest-hole the woodpecker was drilling his in the dead stub of an old oak that shelter was about five inches in stood near our home. In this nestdiameter and was tilted downward hole the birds successfully reared at an agle of approximately 45 dea family. When the young had grees.,The opening of the cavity flown, the stub, condemned as -a was on the underside of the limb, menace to passers-by, was cut and the trend of the hole was downdown. In the same tree, a little ward, paralleling the limb. In this lower down, was a second stub, and small limb a chamber of such size here, as soon as their former home to permit a woodpecker to turn was destroyed, the birds set to freely about would apparently leave work to carve out a new home. Two but a shell of wood between the holes were drilled. It was now bird and the outside world. While midsummer, their family cares were the site offered complete protection over for the season, and it is not against wind and rain, the thin panlikely that they had in mind the els of oak would surely not afford needs of the next nesting season. sufficient protection against the It is reasonable to suppose that the cold. The builder of this home was birds merely wished to have ready probab!y a young bird that had a warm shelter that might be used never gone through a winter in the on the cold nights that were sure Yosemite. We believe, however, to come. These holes were used that he realized his mistake, for not through the winter, but early in the many days after the completion of following spring a fresh hole was his work we found the site deserted. drilled for the nest site.

ETERNAL VERITIES

Edith Coyle Matthes 0 mortal soul, Why doest thou struggling yearn To reach life's. ultimate meaning? Canst thou not be content to live and love, And strive for right and truth? See, on thine every hand, The witness of transcendent har monies. The+ tiniest elecron doth enfold a perfect scheme That blazons forth in whirl of universe. Sit at the foot of modern sage and hear him tell The story of Creation's perfect sym phonies, T~ n dare to feel that' thou.and he Art part and substance of Eternal Verities, We know so little, yet, what stands revealed Shines. radiant, from, out the dark of yesterday. Can. ye not trust, the further radiance to the, end?. And know 'Omnipotence, which bath so vastly wrought,, Must yet in vaster cycles still. work Till all thine, unnamed longing' find a: goal :.v. Beyond the utmost cravings of thy Soul'. a... And thou• informed' by aspiration's light Shall : know thyself a• fragment' ' Infinity.

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