March 1930

YOSEMITE NATUR E NOTES

The Yosemite Museum Volume IX

MARCH, 1930

Number 3 Department of the Interior Ray Lyman Wilbur, Secretary National Park Service Horace M. Albright, Director

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

Published monthly Volume IX March 1930 Number

AN OLD NATURE TRAIL IS FOUND NEAR WAWONA

By J. N. Morris, Ranger Much interest is being shown in "The arboretum covers 75 to 100 the new nature trails of Yosemite acres of hilly timbered land, and National Park, but few people realhas one main trail and several ize that what is possibly the first branch trails crossing it. Thirtynature trail in the United States six trees and plants have already that we have any record of was esbeen labeled, 20 more have been tablished in this park more than identified and will be labeled soon, 25 years ago. and plans have been made to transI had noted in the 1929 Yosemite plant and plant many of the more Ranger Naturalist Manual, part ll, familiar trees and plants of the page 19, and in the report of the park that are not already found acting superintendent of the Yothere. The labels and signs are of semite National Park for 1904, that one-inch plank, double coated on an arboretum and the beginning of all sides with light-brown paint, and a museum and library had been bearing names (English and Latin) made at Camp A. E. Wood, near in letters of dark brown. The labels Wawona, by Major John Bigelow. are nailed to trees the heads of the the park superintendent, in 1904. nails being well driven in and putSuperintendent Bigelow reports tied over to prevent staining with that "the first and present officer rust. Small metal tags are used for in charge of the arboretum in First flowers. Comfortable seats have Lieutenant and Assistant Surgeon been built, more paths opened up, Henry F. Pipes, the surgeon of my deadwood and debris have been recam:nand, a young officer of no moved, and the arboretum brought particular training as a botanist, to a condition in which it may be b:a interested in his work, and doconsidered as worthy and susceptiia g it in the most efficient and satble of development into a prominent isfactory manner. feature of the park."

At the time of reading, this inAt first I was at a loss to know formation made little impression on who had so carefully constructed my mind, as I supposed that all this charming nature trail with its traces of Major Bigelow's work had neatly signed trees. I first thought disappeared. of Galen Clark, the venerable old The afternoon of November 2, custodian of the Yosemite Valley, 1929, while strolling from Wawona whom I had known when I was down the South Fork of the Mervery young. He had formerly owned ced, enjoying the beautiful autumthe hotel at Wawona, and as he nal coloring of the trees of the was a great lover of nature, I mountain sides, I arrived at the thought that he might have signed Wawona fish hatchery. Crossing this trail for the enlightenment of the creek which runs by the hatchhis guests. Then I noticed that the ery I noticed a sign nailed to a tree trail led to a point opposite the on the bank lettered "Big creek." present Camp Hoyle formerly Camp Noticing a well-beaten trail leading on down the river, I walked on, not A. E. Wood, the former site knowing what I might find, but in of the park superintendent's office a very expectant mood. Soon I saw in the early days, when the park a large yellow pine beside the trail was administered by federal troops. with a sign on it giving the English Realizing that this must be the name of the tree, with the Latin arboretum of Major Bigelow's rebelow, "Yellow Pine," "pinus ponPort, I inquired of Fred Slaugherter derosa." Hurrying on down the and A. C. Washburn, old residents trail, I found some 20 trees careof Wawona, who verified my supfully labeled in the same manner. Position and related how Major One of the signs was so weathered Bigelow and his officers lived on that it was hardly readable, but the west bank of the Merced, while most of them were in excellent conthe soldiers camped on the eastern dition, considering the fact that bank, and how the superintendent they had been lying exposed to the saw to the construction of the trail elements for over 25 years. in the year 1904.

A BAT BANQUET

By Ranger J. B. Herschlei Twilight was quietly settling in From the outside; this opening the Big Trees of the Mariposa appears as though it might e,.lend Grove of Yosemite on an early Anquite some distance up into the gust evening. I was passing throng,: tree. My first thought was that the the upper end of the public camp bats were using it as a roosting ground and but a short distance place and were just coming out for from the Fallen Monarch when I their nightly flight. Yet at the noticed a congregation of some 12 same time I wondered why I had or 15 bats, hovering and flying not seen them on previous ever:zng, near an opening which had been for many times had I passed that burned many years ago in the base way while making the round, of a large sugar pine. through the camp grounds to sig

up the visitors who were stayieg sects and in a moment saw large. for the night. winged ants emerging from a narFor some time I stood watching row crack—so very small It was them passing to and fro but at no hard for them to gain their freetime did I see a single indiv'dual dom. After watching their strug enter the opening. I wondered still glee for some time I made the openmore why they would fly near the ing larger with my pocket knife entrance, hover, then dart away. then watched them come out in Evidently the drawing attraction hords. was strong for at times so many This seemed to be the answer for bats would fly to the opening at the action of the bats. They were once that one could hear the brushfeeding on the ants. An ant would ing of their wings together. The emerge from the hole and I would darkness, however, kept me from follow it with the flashlight beam. determining the reason. By the time it had passed outside After standing very still for some of the tree a bat would dart.n to time I decided to get nearer and get it and another bat in trying to see if my actions disturbed them get the same ant would brush wing.. but apparently they were too busy with the first. By holding the light to be bothered by the intrusion of at the lower part of the opening man. Something else was far more with the ray shooting upwards, the interesting. Slowly I advanced t ants could be seen to emerge in ward the tree, and noticing no dit small groups and sally forth into ference in their manner or actions the air. Their freedom was short I at last leaned against the trees lived as few of them. got more than with my face just a few inches a foot or two away from the enfrom the opening and at about the trance before they were captured. same spot where they seemed to For some minutes I watched, then be fluttering most closely together. continued on my evening, rounds. Still they were not disturbed. Thcy It was possibly ten minutes iatcv would fly to within two or three when I returned over this same inches of my face, hover a moment route but the bats had disappearen then dart away, returning again to and.also the ants had stopped theft repeat their actions and antics. evening flight. A few were stilt Having a flashlight, i examined crawling around the opening or the ground inside the tree to see if only protruding their heads from droppings were present or,ithet the inside but they did not come tell-tale evidence of a toosting place, but found none. Turning the entirely out. This, no doubt, exlight upward into the tree I noticed plains why the bats had gone on tl holes eaten into the wood by innew territory. A Snowstorm in Yosemite By Assistant Park-Naturalist H. E. Perry Because of the valley's unusual tions so as to include Yosemite in formation, a snow fall in Yosemite winter. is exceedingly attractive and many As a harbinger of,the approachvisitors to the park plan their vacaing storm, the higher points around

the rim become misty and indisformed into a land of mystery, a tinct. Gradually the clouds close veritable fairyland of ice and snow. down around the sides of the valley During the progress of a storm, until, with the coming of the first most of the birds and animals relazy flakes, the walls recede from main in secluded shelters. Howview and one finds himself in a ever an occasional blue-fronted jay new Yosemite, where the granite may be seen speeding from tree cliffs have no part to play. to tree and hopping among the As the storm gathers momentum, branches as he tirelessly pursues the ground begins to whiten if not his work of either concealing food previously covered with snow and or hunting some which has been before long familiar landmarks previously stored away. Small commence to assume softer and bands of mule deer venture into more beautiful shapes. The boughs the storm once in a while and of the incense cedars gather a wander hopefully among the houses bountiful supply of the flakes and of the permanent residents of the soon they droop wearily with their park in quest of food from the heavy load. The great bare oaks kitchens, for some of them have from their trunks to their tiniest found in so doing an easier means twigs emerge from the storm as of livelihood than can be obtained though bedecked with' cotton and by scraping away the snow from the alders become masterpieces of their natural foods. The bears of art, for their array of fine branchthe valley are undisturbed by the lets give rise to the most delicate fury of these winter storms, for tracery imaginable. they are sleeping peacefully in Perhaps the most attractive their snug dens. Under ordinary phase of a snow storm in Yosemite conditions, no pangs of hunger occurs when the storm is over and drive them out inasmuch as their the clouds begin to disperse. An endless craving for food Inst fall endless variety of fascinating efresulted in an accumulation of fat fects is produced when the clouds sufficient for their needs until play "hide-and-seek" with the enspring. circling walls of the valley. Great When the storm is over and the curtains of mist mask out entire ground is completely covered with sections of the side walls, only to snow even in the deepest woods, break quickly in numerous places much pleasure may be had by the and expose interesting designs in outdoor enthusiast in following the snow-covered granite. Delightful trails of animals, both large and changes follow each other rapidly small, as they again go forth on is the region of Half Dome as resttheir own little highways. Each less billows pile up in the backkind of animal writes his story of ground or as filmy wisps drape adventure in the snow wherever themselves across the mountain's he goes. For the person who has face. the time, the ' inclination and an I finally when all the clouds have ability to interpret that which he rolled beyond the horizon, and the observes, every fresh fall of snow sun again holds sway in dazzling in Yosemite offers an opportunity splendor, one is aware that the old for a type of nature study which familiar Yosemite has been transis unusually fascinating.

WESTERN BLUEBIRDS

By Enid Michael For ten years we have been takmeager crop of berries became exing daily bird walks in the Yohausted, the bluebirds began to feed semite Valley. At the end of each on the open ground in the meamonth a bird report is turned in at dows. And not only did they feed the Yosemite Museum. On these on the open ground on the frozen bird walks we try each day to add snow fields on the south side of the a new name to the monthly list. valley, they actually hopped about The new bird for the day of Octopicking up cold-storage insects in ber 10, 1929, was recorded when we the manner of the' rosy finches noted a flock of 12 Western blueabove timberline. birds flying high over the meadow. When mistletoe berries are abundThe birds had the flock formation ant the western bluebirds keep to and the general appearance of bluethe oaks. They are restless, howbirds, but bluebirds usually chatter ever, and their day's wanderings when on the wing and these birds take them from one end of the valwere strangely silent. Seeing the ley to the other, but always their flock drop into the crown of an oak trail leads through the oaks. At tree not far away we followed the times they leave the ReIlogg oak birds across the meadow and made groves of the valley floor to climb sure of their identity. the talus slopes and feed among Western bluebirds are winter visthe Chrysolepis oaks, where mistleitants to Yosemite valley and they toe is also abundant. The Townarrive here about the time the cesend solitaire is also very fond of dar mistletoe berries are beginning mistletoe berries, but these birds to ripen. In other words, our recare not given to wandering. They ords show that over a period of 10 pre-empt a bit of territory on an years the average date of arrival of oak-covered slope and if food is the western blue birds is October 18. plentiful there they will spend their The earliest date of arrival was Ocwinter days. In such ' a district ' tober 4, 1924, and the latest date of their diet may be augmented by a arrival was October' 25, 1927 The certain amount of dry manzanita abundance or lack of abundance of berries. their favorite food seems to deterOccasionally the wandering bluemine the number of bluebirds that birds will encroach upon territory shall winter in the valley. In norwhich a solitaire claims as his very mal years several flocks are press own, and then there is a battle for ent, and while here the birds feed possession. The lone solitaire says extensively on mistletoe berries. nean things in a mean voice and There are occasional years when darts at first oae bluebird and then the mistletoes almost completely at another. The one against the fail to bear fruit. This was the case many always wins out in the end, during the winter of 1928, wheh the Perhaps, not so much on account of berry-bearing bunches of mistletoe -his warlike demonstrationsbut bewere few and far between. Howcause of the wandering habits of ever, a flock of western bluebirds the invaders The bluebirds cannot did come Into the valley. When the be held to a long-drawn-out battle,

for they must be on their way to pay the agent of dissemination. new fields of adventure. The mistletoe is a parasite. It And speaking of bluebirds and lives on the life blood of its host. mistletoes, there is a close relationFrom man's point of view this is ship between them which works to very bad for, like God, man, too, their mutual benefit. The mistletoe holds jealously to what he considfeeds the bluebirds and tides them ers his prerogative. To the blueover the lean winter months. The bird, however, the parasitic activibluebirds in turn help the mistleties of the mistletoe are quite all toes to increase their territory. The right. What if it does sap the juices pulpy mistletoe berry contains a of the oak? In the eyes of the bluehard seed which is coated with a bird the oak is only important in mucilaginous substance. The blueits function as host to the mistlebird swallows the berry whole, the toe. The mistletoe fruit is to the pulpy part of the fruit. is digested, liking of the bluebird, while the the seed, with its sticky coating, is oak only bears acorns, for which voided. The seed sticks wherever it fruit the bluebird has no taste. The happens to fall, and as the bluehost branch to which the mistletoe birds move about from tree to tree has become attached finally dies for the voided seeds are likely to fall lack of nourishment and, of course, on fertile soil—that is to say, they the parasite, faithful to the last, fall and adhere to some thin-barked must also die. But what matters oak tree, the seed germinates, the this to the bluebird? Is he not conroots bore in and take hold and tinually sowing so that he may eventually there is a flourishing reap? A fresh crop of mistletoe is mistletoe which will fruit and reever on the way.

EAGLES AT GLACIER POINT

By R. P. Hays, Ranger From the Glacier Point Hotel their prey. Twice I was able to porch and from the government watch them at very close range. lookout house, it has not been an One of these times I happened to uncommon thing to observe eagles have a good pair of binoculars soaring down in the canyon below along, and as I watched the birds and towards Panorama Cliff trail through the glasses searching over through the summer season of 1929. the north flank• of Sentinel Dome, At times these great kings of the I could make out distinctly every air, which are of the golden eagle move of the head and tail feathers species, could be seen from a very The wings were set, and with the close range. On several occasions exception of bending slightly at the while climbing Sentinel Dome on tip to aid the bird in skimming low my daily fire patrol I came upon over the rocky wall, there were no the pair in the -act of forging. A wing beats for considerably long iu great, many times these birds have tervals I did not see them strike been seen from the hotel porch, flyany place as they were very likely ing high in the air covering the frightened from a closer search vast expanses of the side walls of over the mountain wall by my prem. the Illilouette canyon In search of ence.

Another time I watched an eagle glasses at one time, just above trying to get a very small fawn Panorama Cliff, and it was only a while the mother was doing her few days later that Mr. Nichols and best to ward off the foe. The rapid I watched four eagles in the air at movements of a doe down below one time. We were able to make Glacier Point on the ledge was first out two young with their juvenile noticed by Miss Margery Pittman plumage and the two parent birds and several guests at the hotel, who with their shining golden patches soon discovered a golden eagle of feathers on the upper surface of soaring close to the granite wall. their wings, shoulders and head. Their eyes were suddenly attracted Later the same day guests at the to a spotted fawn by the frantic hotel were able to watch these two parent. They watched the doe work young birds on one of their initial up along a ledge of rock and finally practice flights being encouraged hide her young under a large slab by their parents, granite which was leaning, who were onstantly calling out in eagle Ian_ against the wall. Here the doe stood guage. On the heads and in the guard when my attention was dimiddle of the wings were patches rected toward her, and the eagle of white downy feathers, showing was seen perched on a rock about that the young birds' plumage was twenty feet above. Occasionally the not quite ready for long flights. mother deer would be seen coming These young birds could be seen out from under the rock shelter lighting first on one dead pine top and running back and forth and then on another. Once Mr. through the brush, but all the time Nichols was able to watch one keeping very near the slab of rock young bird through the glasses, which protected her fawn. After while perched on a dead tree, for some watching and trying to get a some time. good opportunity to strike but failing, the eagle finally gave up the There have been golden eagles effort and sailed off the rock where observed in this vicinity each sum it had perched and disappeared mer for several years and these eagles have certainly selected a around the slope toward Vernal good nesting site for they have Falls. Miss Pittman and the other people watching declared they reared their young successfully heard very distinctly the startled here for some time cry of the doe or the screaming of It would be very interesting to the giant bird which attracted their know just where these birds spend attention. the winter and how many year's Some time later Mr. Oneal, while they have been coming back to the on duty at the lookout, with the canyon below Glacier Point, their government binoculars was able to domain as true lords of the upper see three golden eagles through the air.

RECENT MUSEUM ACCESSIONS

A valuable framed engraving, French of Merced. This found an "San Francisco in 1849, " drawn on immediate place in our history the spot by Henry Firks, was prf•room. It was brought to the mueonted by Mrs Charles Mortimer seum by Ranger "Billy" Nelson,

The Yosemite Park and Curry A Colt's 36-caliber cap and ball Company, through Mr. Black's ofrevolver was given by Maj. Crittenfice, presented eight Yosemite den Van Wyck, photographs made in 1870. They are: The Yosemite Park and Curry "Cathedral Spires," "Mirror Company presented a photograph Lake," "Cathedral Rocks," "Washof old Lucy and Lena Wilson, the rngton Column," 'Three Brothers," latter of whom is a present valley and three views of Half Dome. Indian. They are 16x22 inches and in fine Two paintings, one "Morning in condition. Yosemite Valley," and the other Mrs. M. O. Walkington of Lonthe "Three Brothers," were given don, England, a relative of J. M. by Ranger E. L. Smith. Hutchings family, added ten items From the Biological Survey we formerly belonging to Mr. Hutchreceived two books— "Educational ings to her previous gifts of early Bird Leaflets" and "Field, Forest Yosemite and California history and Stream." material : A powder horn from Mariposa Marshall's Gold Discovery, a leewas received. tare by John S. Hittell, January 24, W. B. Campbell made available. 1895. five obsidian knives found by Hutchings' California Magazine George Jeffery under the roots of for February, 1857 an old oak near Bridal Veil falls Ceremony of Unveiling of the Mrs. Mary Branston presented us Lick Bronze Statuary, San Franwith two one-foot strings of Ruscisco, November 29, 1894. sian trade beads found in an Indian Three biennial reports of corngrave near El Portal in 1892. missioners to manage Yosemite A Modoc basket and cover was Valley, 1874-75, 1879, 1880. loaned to us by Mrs. Wilbur Clark Map of portion of Sierra Nevada A Thomas Hill painting of "Nevaadjacent to Yosemite and Hetch da Falls" was presented to us by Hetchy by J. N. Le Conte, 1893. Stephen T. Mather. Yosemite Souvenir and Guide by Ox shoes used in the early days D. J. Foley, 1901. at Bodie were the gift of Theodore Tourists' Guide by Hutchings, J. Hoover. 1877. Herbert Maier gave two UnderIn the Matter of Investigation of wood photos af Roosevelt and Muir the Yosemite Valley Commissioners. in Yosemite. 1889. ' George Warren presented a soapMap of Baja California by t:. stone bowl dug up at Clark Bridge Eisen and F. H. Vaslit. in Yosemite valley. Cecilia Crocker Thompson preA book, "American.'ictures, ' by seated a pair of gold scales which Samuel Manning, was given by the belonged to Thomas H. Beals, who Yosemite Natural History Associacame from Boston to Tuolumne tion. County, California, 1856, and mined Ten volumes of Harper's Magaaround Crocker Station. zine were presented by Mrs Helen A framed photograph of Albert Rowan. B. Fall and Stephen T Mather Mrs. Emily N. Loew presented a taken at Glacier Point, August 9, manzanita vase that was bought in 1021, was presented to the museum Yosemite valley in 1882 by Horace Albright. Three hooks—"Deric in Mesa Mr. Albright also presented the Verde," by Deric Nusbaum; "Deric American flag used in ceremony at With the Indians," also by Deric the dedication of the Tioga road Nusbaum, and "Zuni Indian Tales,' and a cartoon of the ceremony. by Aileen Nusbaum, were gifts "Denizens of the Mountains" by from Mrs Aileen Nusbaum. Edmund C. Jaeger was presented The record of tolls c_olIected at by the Yosemite Natural History Elwell ranch in 1878-1883, Big Oak Association. Flat Road, was presented by Mrs. Stephen T. Mather presented two J. E. Traxler. She also gave us a early. photographs taken by C. R. Savage of Salt Lake—one of Vernal map of public surveys in California Falls and one of the Grizzly Giant and Nevada in 1866.