May 1930

YOSEMITE NATUR E NOTES

The Yosemite Museum Volume IX

MAY, 1930

Number g 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 May 193: Number

INDIAN RANCHERIAS FOUND

By Clifford C. Presnall, Ranger - Naturalist Among the Indians of California rancheria must have existed at Big the use of stone mortars for grindMeadow, near the western bounrng seeds and crushing acorns was dart' of Yosemite National Park. almost universal. Although not all Big Meadow, at an altitude of the tribes were using them when 4400 feet, is located on the Coulterfirst discovered by white men, they ville road, where it crosses Crane must have been employed throughCreek two and one-half miles north out the state at some prehistoric of the Merced river. It consists of time, as indicated by discoveries of about sixty acres of well watered mortars in every part of Califon meadow surrounded by granite nia. Mortars are found in especialh"Ils through which low passes give ly large numbers along the western easy access to the surrounding terslope of the Sierra Nevada range, ritory. According to local cattlein the territory formerly occupied men and rangers, the meadow is on by the Washoes, Miwoks and Yathe old Mono Trail, which was used kuts. These tribes, in common with by the Miwok and Mono Indians in three-fourths of all the California trading and raiding trips over the Indians, subsisted chiefly on summit of the Sierra Nevada. acorns, which were crushed, rather Everything seems to indicate that than ground, into meal. The morBig Meadow was an important Mitars they used were made in bed wok encampment, and a count of rock, which probably accounts for the mortar holes in the vicinity the large number that are found, substantiated the idea. since new holes had to be made On the twenty-seventh of April each time the Indians moved to a the park naturalist, C. A. Harwell, new village. Some village sites, or and I spent the entire day in rancherias, apparently had been searching out and counting the used for many years, judging by mortar• holes at Big Meadow. Many the number of mortar holes found of the holes had become covered Such an ancient and populous with from one to four inches of

leaf mold and soil, so considerable small, rocky knoll or ridge that work was necessary to expose bordered the meadow. At one lothem. Fortunately most of the cation (G) there ware 14 different mortar holes were concentrated on rocks containing holes, and at five small granite outcroppings. three (B, C, F) there was but one The holes ' occurred in seven inmortar rock. We found three outcations, as shown on the sketch croppings which had but one morr.np, each location being on a tar hole in each, but all the others Mortar holes and pestle at Yeemite Big Meadow shotti'n in photo. The true depth of the holes is obscured by water from recent rains. Note shallow hole in lower right hand corner. Sketch map shows the location of Big Meadow.

Yosemite NATURh N )'l: FS

had from three to one hundred and ans themselves have, no idea of five holes of various sizes, all their origin, ascribing it to some closely spaced, and in some cases supernatural agency. running into each other. 'The largest mortar holes were Most of the mortar rocks were six to eight inches in width across nearly level with the ground; some the top, and eight to eleven and rocks had holes three to eight feet one-half inches in depth. The above the ground, and two holes smallest and newest holes were were found on top of a large, round mere saucer-like, depressions, per. rock over 20 feet above the sm.- baps one-half inch deep and two rounding rocks. inches across, worn_ very smooth on

It was quite evident that the the bottom. Holes of all sizes ocholes had been made over a period curred on the same rock without of many years. Many deep holes, any definite system of arrange somewhat weathered, had appal.- ment except an occasional tenden ently been abandoned and shallow, cy to follow slightly curved rows. smoothly worn ones started near Usually the. upper and more level by. On one block of granite broke surfaces of large rocks were oven en from the bed rock, were five pied where a number of squaws holes that were very badly weathcould sit comfortably. erect. The break in the rock, which A total of 616 holes were counted. was also much weathered, must within a radius of a: quarter of a have occurred after the holes had mile. It is quite probable that oth been made, since it ran directly er holes remained undiscovered unthrough two of the holes, similar der accumulated soh,or in thickets to that shown. in photograph.. In of young pines and underbrush.. another case several deep holes f trangeiy enough, we found only were found under the low limbs of one pestle, a small, poor specimen. a manzanita (Arctostaphylos ms No doubt many, have been picked posa) six inches in diameter. at !la op :a past years, since E;g Meadow base. The branches were so loa has long been the summer head that the holes could not possibly quarters of a cattle ranch. Obsi have been used since the bush dian chips were. very plentiful, es started to grow. Judging by rate pecially. at F and G. We had little of growth and diameter, the age.. of the manzanita was estimated at 100 time for hunting' arrow, heads, but years. No doubt many mortar did find one perfect point and sevholes are very old, since the Indieral broken ones.

TREE SWALLOWS OF YOSEMITE

By C. A. Harwell, Park Naturalist On a bird observation trip April ber of summer visitants were pre"- 20 to Big Meadow, just west of Yeent at this location, 500 feet higher semite valley on the old Coulterviile than the floor of Yosemite valley, I road, Ranger Naturalist Bresnan which are not expected. in the vuland I identified twenty species. it ley for a week or more, some.. was lntoreeting to note that a numwhich are rise visitors to the loos

of the valley. Meadowlarks were bird boxes. Never more than one there in full song; several calliope or two pair, however, have been obhummingbirds (Stellula calliope) served nesting on the floor of the were busy about the willows, one Yosemite valley during any one male demonstrating to us his towerseason. ing mating flight, while a flock of A pair of western bluebirds (Sias about twelve white crowned sparlia mexicana occidentalis) also rare rows (Zonotrichia leucophrys) leufor the region at this season of the cophrys) kept just ahead of us as year, seemed determined that the we walked through the thicket of cavity in the oak tree would make willows along Crane creek. They a wonderful place for a bluebird's were evidently on their spring niinest. They flew several times to gration to their spring nesting examine the hole and repeatedly grounds in Hudsonian Zone. Tree protested against the swallows even swallows (Iridoprocne bicolor) had perching in their tree, by flying in evidently just arrived. We noted a determined manner directly tofive of these handsome swallows, ward the offending swallow. In perching in or nesting near a dead every case the swallow would reoak tree at the north edge of the treat without show of protest, but meadow. Their very white u-: deronce in air on happy wing, seemed parts and steely blue-black backs soon to forget and the next minute made them easily distinguishable would be back on some gray limb from the other five species of swalof the dead oak twittering as haplows to be found in the Yosemite pily as before. section. Three of the birds were We will keep this location under evidently males, and their courting observation to note which of these songs and antics were interesting species, if either of them, uses this to observe. The birds were conrest site. centrating their attention on a deThough the western bluebird is a serted woodpecker hole about 20 common nester in other parts of feet from the ground in the trunk the State in Transition zone, here in of this oak tree, and also on a our Yosemite region they seem to prospective nest cavity at the top be confined to the lower foothill of a fireblackened pine stub at the gions during summer, only to be obbank of the small stream nearby. served in Yosemite valley during This tree swallow is general over winter months. My last observaNorth America, nesting as far north don of a bluebird on the floor of as trees extend in Canada. In the valley was March 22 of this many sections they take kindly to year, when a single male was no ted.

THE CALLIOPE HUMMING-BIRD

By Enid Michael, Ranger - Naturalist The more one learns about birds. resting on his favorite perch in the the more one marvels. I was really ceanothus bush. This feathered thrilled the other morning when I mite, no larger than my little finstepped out of the house and found ger, the smallest North P.mcr:ean the male calliope humming-bird bird, had been to Mexico and bnrk

since I had seen him late last fall. or among the first, to arrive at the Now the marvelous thing, the summer nesting grounds. Unlike thrilling feature of this meeting many of the small birds, the calwith the calliope is that every Hope hummers do not arrive in the spring for the last seven years, Yosemite according to a calendar spring after spring, a male calliope schedule but time their arrival to humming-bird has come to the coincide with the blooming of the same perch in a certain ceanothus manzanitas. The blooming of the thicket near my home. Naturally manzanitas varies as the weather I look upon him as the same bird conditions vary from winter to wincome home to spend the summer ter, hence the arrival of the cal in the land of his birth. How well Hope hummers in the valley is irhe must know that route from his regular. Over a period of 10 years home in the Yosemite to that fa r land where he spends his winters. in the Yosemite valley, the first Now this calliope of the certain spring record for the calliope has ceanothus patch is always the first ranged from March 2 to May 9.

A DIAMOND OF TANNIN

By J. B. Herschler, Ranger One sunny Sunday morning in the arch. In answer to the above quessummer of 1929, a number of vistion, I surmised that a drop of tan itors in the Mariposa Grove of Big nic fluid, resinous-like in action, Trees were gathered at the base of which is excreted frequently from the Grizzly Giant, gazing, as ever, the fire scars of the Big Trees, had in reverence and admiration at this. dropped upon a spider web and was king of plant life, when a spark of swinging to and fro in the breeze. unusual interest attracted their at Interest of the crowd became so tention. So unusual did it seem great that I ventured inside "The that the question was asked, "Is Sacred Circle," an area around the that a spark of fire by the base of base of the tree in which no one is the tree?" Walking closer, we supposed to enter, to learn the real watched it and it seemed to glow cause. and burn in the morning sunshine, Instead of its being a spider web, and yet it surely could not be a a thin thread of the tannic fluid had burning spark Soon it seemed to been swayed by the morning breeze. dance and sway in the morning The flowing end had caught on an breeze, then swing and dance again, adjacent part of the tree and it was grow iridescent and send out exthe reflection of the sun on this quisite rays of color, the most delicate thread of sequoia pitch noticeable being a deep, rich ruby which created the glowing brightlight. ness in the morning sun. As the The crowd at the foot of the tree thread swayed, the dazzling reflex increased and stood fascinated as tion would glide up and down upon they watched this sparkle of dazit, creating this phenomenan of unzling brightness while it played and usual beauty. swung at the bare of this aged monk Slowly the sun shifted and as it

did the light on the tiny cord faded, grandeur to reclaimthe attention of leaving the "Grizzly" in gigantic its admirers.

BIRD SURVEY AT EL PORTAL MARCH 31, 1930

By Enid Michael, Ranger-Naturalist On March 31, 1930, a trip was Although the red-tailed hawk is made down the Merced canyon in rather commonly noted from El order that a survey c1igl:i b made Portal to timberline, it is for some reason a rare visitor to the floor of of bird life on the lower fric a Yosemite Valley. of the park. During the month of Hairy woodpecker—A lone individApril many summer nesting birds ual noted. The hairy is probably more arrive in the valley and it was at home in the transition zone. A thought that a check made at this resident bird in the valley. time might throw some light on California woodpecker—Noted sevmigratory movements of these eral times during the day. A resident the bird both at El Portal and in the birds. It was considered advisable valley. to spend the day in the territory Red-shafted flicker—Noted several continguous to the lower boundarytimes during the day. Resident both of the park. The district covered at El Portal and in the valley. At lies at an elevation approximately this season of the year more numerfeet lower than the floor of ous in the valley than at El Portal. 2000 White-throated swift—A flock of the valley It is typical upper 40 birds seen sailing along the rocky Sonoran zone country, whereas the bluffs 500 feet above the river. These floor of the Yosemite valley lies in birds are summer nesters both in the the Transition zone. valley and at El Portal. They are During the day 28 different among the very first summer visitants to arrive and they have been species of birds were noted, hownoted in Yosemite Valley as early as ever, the survey proved disappointFebruary 24. Usually arrive in the ing inasmuch as the calliope humvalley by the middle of March. mingbird was the only special that Calliope hummingbird--Not seen we could fairly consider as having during the morning, but during the intercepted on its way to the valley. afternoon three male birds were In the following paragraphs will noted and it is possible that these of the birds arrived during the day. Probabe found a brief summary bly do not nest much below an elespecies noted and comments on vation of 4000 feet; more common their status in 'Yosemite valley and nesting birds at higher elevations. at El Portal in which neighborhood As summer visitants to the Yosemite this survey was made. Valley they are exceptionally irregValley quail—A single flock eonular in their arrival here. The early taining ten birds was seen' in a record for arrival in the valley is brushy flat near the river. These March 2, 1024. The late arrival rem birds are resident, at El Portal, but ord is May 9, 1922. are very rare visitants to the valley. Say Phoebe—A single bird noted. Western red-tailed. hawk--A lone Rare visitors to this district, but individual was noted, and this was strangely enough( a lone bird often the only hawk seen during the day. pmts in his appearani4• in Yosemite

Valley during the month of March the buildings at El Portal, but not Once noted in February, twice in otherwise noted during the day, Male April. birds have been noted in the vaIIey Black Phoebe—A common biro during the spring months. No nestalong the river about El Portal, ing records for the valley. where it is resident. Does not nest Western lark sparrow—A single in the Yosemite Valley. but stragindividual noted. Rare both at El glens are likely to be seen any time Portal and in the valley. Stragglers, from date sepring until late fall. however, are not unusual in the valBlue-fronted jay—Noted several ley during April. times during the day. Resident in the White-crowned sparrow—A comvalIey and probably resident in pany of eight birds noted. Small slight numbers at El Portal. groups of these birds loaf their way California jay—Although resident through, the Yosemite Valley during at El Portal, this bird was only twice April. A pair has been known to nest noted during the day. Stragglers ocin Yosemite Valley on four different casionally find their way into the occasions. Yosemite Valley during the late sum Spurred towhee--Noted a number mer. Individuals have been noted of times during the day. A few realat elevations above 10,000 feet dundent pairs in the, valley, also resiing the month of September. dent at Ei Portal. Red-winger blackbird—A few inchBrown towhee—Pairs often noted viduals found associated with Brew during the day. A common resident ster blackbirds. These birds are sumbird at El Portal, but for some suer visitants to Yosemite Valley and strange reason they never wander up are always among the first spring arthe few canyon miles to the 'floor of rivals. Arrive in the valley anythe valley. „ where from February. 20 until the Sierra junco—Noted more often middle of March. than any other bird, during the day. Brewer blackbird — A ' scattereu Probably on their way into the mounflock noted in meadow land just betains, as' they prefer nesting at highlow El Portal. Summer vistants both er elevations. Sierra juncos ” are to El Portal and Yosemite Valley. found in the valley all the 'year Arrival in the Yosemite approximatearound, but they are strictly resident ly coincides with the arrival of the birds, as those that nest here iii the red-wings. The only species ' of bird summer are not the same individthat has showed any great increase uals that represent the tribe during in numbers in the Yosemite Valley the winter months. 1. during the last ten years. Water ouzel—Birds twice noted.California purple finch Singing along the river below the park line. birds heard on several occasions. One pair already nesting. Nest from Winters at El Portal but nests at El Portal to almost timberline. Ochigher elevations. A few pairs nest casionally pairs winter in the Yoin the valley every summer and semite, but most ouzels drop down stragglers are likely to be seen durthe vanyon to winter. ing the winter. Bewick wren —Singing birds' fwlee California linnetCommon resident noted during the day. Resident at bird at El Portal. Only one record El Portal, Seldom seen on the floor of this bird in the Yosemite Valley of the valley.. One nesting record for during the last ten years. the valley. Green-backed goldfinch — IndividPlain titmouse-Once noted during uals noted several times during the the day. Resident at El Portal'and. day. Nests at. E1 Portal and possibly strange as it may 'semi. they are resident. Late arrivals in Yosemite only noted in the valley during` tilt' Valley; usually coming in after the winter months.. :. In this case it is i nesting season, but they have been bird of lower elevations moving up known to nest here, mountain to winter. English sparrow—Common around California bushtit Noted often. A

common resident. bird at El Portal. common brushy slopes at higher eleHave been known to nest in the val.- vations than the valley floor. ley, but are mostly noted here durWestern robin—A loose flock of 30 ing the fall months when there is an or 40 birds seen in open meadow land up-mountain movement of birds that below El Portal. Individuals occanested lower. sionally elsewhere. Nests from El Western gnathatcher—Frequently Portal to timberline. Taking the noted during the day. Common resiwhole park over, the robin is the dent birds at El Portal. Rare birds most common nesting bird. Not resiin the valley; a single pair nested dent birds, but individuals may be here in 1924. However, in the postfound in the valley during every nesting season these birds are not unmonth of the year.

\WATER OUZEL

By C. H. Oneal. Ranger - Naturalist The water ouzel is wren-like in ing process. Out both parents would structure but one of the most eardash, soon to return with larvae to ing of divers. Born of ancestors be deposited in the upturned from the an it nevertheless lives mouths of their hungry brood. Trip constantly in or near water While after trip was made until it would often seen it is always a mystery. seem as if the young would burst. Even though devoid of webs it is A few weeks ago a nature guide one of the greatest of underwater party sat gazing at the beauties of swimmers. Its short, stout wings the water-wheel falls below Glen drive it through " the swiftest of Aulin A flash of gray color dismountain torrents. After a plunge appeared in the rushing cascade, up it bobs to the surface, flies to a it bobbed almost instantly with food bordering rock, flits the water in its mouth. Springing to a rock from its wings and body and deit shook itself free from water and yours its catch of food.. ate its catch. Dipping up and down The nest of growing moss is ever for a few seconds like a gymnast, it green, watered by the spray of dived once more into the torrent. cataracts. Oftentimes it is located As it half swam, half walked, the behind a water-fall. No water is thin sheet of water swirled over it, too cold or torrent too swift for this It seemed as if the onward rush of hardy mountaineer. water would over-power and crush Watch him closely as he sits for so small a bird. But no! Up it a moment almost invisible against came as gay and care free as ever. a slate gray granite cliff, see the eagerly on the lookout for more lightning-like flash of his nictitafood. ting membrane or third eyelid. Does Ever on the alert, dipping up and it furnish protection for the eye down, dashing here and there in the when he is swimming under water? water, neither intruding his presA year ago a pair of ouzels had ence nor afraid, he never fails to attheir nest on a beam under the old tract attention. His energy, cheerClark bridge Dozens of people fulness and industry inspire all would daily sit and watch the feedwho chance to view him

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 supply authoritative 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. Correspondence should be addressed to C. A. Harwell, Park Naturalist, Yosemite National Park, California.

C. G. THOMSON

Superintendent

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