September 1931

YOSEMITE NATURE NOTES SEPTEMBER, 1931

Volume X Number 9

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

Published Monthly Volume X September 1931 Number 9 Comments on the Naturalist Work at Tuolumne Meadows

RANGER-NATURALIST CARL SHARSMITH

Tuolumne Meadows is a unique around and are close at hand and and valuable station for the natureasily accessible on short hikes. alist service. An ideal camping The Conness glacier, easily the place, it is attracting an ever inmost accessible and active glacier creasing number of campers, most in the park, giving opportunity to of whom stay four to five days, a examine moraines, crevasses, etc.. good many as long as ten days, is but a half hour's drive and three several who stay practically the or miles' walk from the ranger station. entire season. The number of campThe wild flower exhibit which is ers returning to the meadows to easily maintained gives evidence of camp year after year is steadily the richness of the flora; the proxgrowing. imity of the "contact" zone with its The Tuolumne Meadows region is mineralogical and geological intera center for the Yosemite High est, mountain peaks of varying deSierra. Innumerable hikes and degrees of difficulty to climb, timberture walks rich in interest are pasline forests and alpine flora and sible and available to the naturalist fauna, the delightful summer clito suit the great width of interest mate; above all the great numbers in the large followings of the past of responsive and enthusiastic season. A supplement to the Yocampers make Tuolumne Meadows semite Valley, the Tuolumne region a splendid field for the naturalist offers great possibilities to the na ture guide to make more clearly service. understandable the geological forces TRIPS ENJOYED which made the famous valley. The features of glaciation are clearly Early in the 1931 season it was marked; erratic boulders, polished found best to have field trips of pavements, glacial lakes in cirques wide variance, trips easy and trips

strenuous. Nature walks involving Lake. A strenuous all day trip but but little exertion had a large following of elderly people and children; climbs on the more difficult peaks, some of which necessitated the use of rope and ice-axe, gave much pleasure and satisfaction to the more vigorous. Following is a list of trips which have met with much success during the past season. well worth the effort. Route can be varied so as to include a diversity of climbing and use of rope and ice-axe.

EASILY REACHED GLACIER

8 Conness Glacier—Most accessible and active glacier in the park.

Leader should be equipped with ice-axe for occasional step cutting, etc. A moderate full day's trip, driving to Saddlebag lake.

1. Lambert Dome—A very popular short afternoon climb affording a wide panorama, glacial erratics, polish, seven species of conifers, etc. 2. Flower Walk—An easy afternoongroup of peaks. A one day's trip, noon or morning walk along riverdriving to foot of trail. bank above ranger station. At least 20 species of flowers in July. 3. Mt. Dana—A full day's trip, point in Tuolumne Meadows redriving to base of mountain. The gion from which Half Dome, Glamost climbed high mountain in the cier Point, El Capitan are visible. park, and the one offering the most A moderate one day's trip via Budd extensive view of any. or Cathedral lakes. 4. Gaylor Lakes--An easy one 11. Mono Pass—Easy one day's day trip, driving to foot of trail trip, driving to foot of trail. Head On the "contact" zone; old mines of Bloody Canyon, with fine view rich in minerals, alpine conditions of terminal moraines. Rare blue of flora and fauna for those unable columbines. Trip can be varied by to climb higher peaks. branching onto Parker Pass trail. 5. Budd Lake and Cathedral 12. Young Lakes-- Beautiful lakes Lake and Cathedral PeakA good near base of Conness, with fine one day's trip, driving to foot of High Sierra panorama. A moderate trail. More strenuous can easily one day's trip. climb Cathedral if leader chooses 13. Glen Aulin -A one day's trip party with care, and has some exdown the Tuolumne. Basaltic plug. perience in alpine rope work himwaterfalls. self. 14. Mount Lyell—A feasible week6. Dana Meadows--Rich flower end trip, make in one full day and gardens on the south slope of Dana. two half days, renting pack mules A very popular half day walk at Lodge. Maclure can also be driving to meadows, climbed with Lyell on same day 7. Mt. Conness—Via Saddlebag Lake. Glorious view of Ritter Range, etc.

Rattlesnake ! Rattlesnake !

RANGER-NATURALIST C. H. ONEAL

Rattlesnake! Rattlesnake! The very word causes instant attention. Formation and struck without coiling. The strike was rapid but Distorted visions flit through every mind. Experiences real and imagined are relived. Exaggeration and fancy usually run riot until reality vanishes. easily followed; the recoil was almost as rapid. For an instant the mouse did not move. Then he seemed electrified. Terror stimulated him to a supreme effort. Around and around kill? This was a question that inthe case he went. With a mighty terested us. We determined to find effort he ran up the corner of the out. Behind the museum are a case in a vain effort to get out. number of Pacific rattlesnakes Slowly losing his footing, he sank (Crotalus oreganus) in a glass case. back. A total of 32 seconds elapsed Their usual diet is composed of before he seemed to be taken with mice that are caught in Bob Selby's paralysis on the left side, and was traps. A live mouse was a logical shaken with convulsive spasms. victim. This was easily secured. END OF LITTLE RODENT At about 11 a. m. the snakes were sleepy on the warm porch. A stick The snake, in the meantime, was used to stir them from their seemed unconscious of the strugslumbers and then the white-footed gles of the mouse. But the helpmouse was introduced. Instantly lessness of the mouse attracted his the mouse sensed the danger. He attention. With a quick grab, he ran and jumped around the case. caught the mouse back of the Over gravel and snakes he went shoulders. He held this grasp for until nearly exhausted. Then he two minutes and 28 seconds. The crouched in a distant corner for mouse ceased all struggles almost several minutes. The snakes in the instantly after the last strike. The meantime were unconcerned. snake then with great difficulty

MOUSE IS CHARMED

freed his fangs. After inspecting the mouse carefully it was grasped A few taps on the glass caused by the head. Slowly the muscles of the mouse to jump. Even this did the snake's head relaxed. By a not greatly concern the snakes. series of gulps, interspersed with Finally one of our five rattlers that rests of about one-half minute, the was about the largest opened his mouse had disappeared, with the mouth as if in a yawn and slowly exception of the end of the tail. disentangled himself from the othersThen peristaltic contractions ors and crawled slowly toward his seemed to take place in the neck victim. The mouse gave a few region. This was followed by the feeble starts as if puzzled, and rapid and steady vanishing of the then sat perfectly still, his eyes tail of the mouse. bulging. He seemed hypnotized. A tragedy had taken place. But such nature tragedies are expected in Thousands of mice are killed by snakes, but few of these kill. come under our observation,

Food Habits of Alligator Lizards

WILLIS KING

This summer as a special problem in connection with the Yosemite School of Field Natural History I made a special study of the Sierra alligator lizard (Gerrhonotus palmeri). I captured five of them at the Old Village at Camp 19 and at Mirror lake and caged them for observation. Their confinement was of such a nature that their reactions were as nearly normal as they could be in captivity.

After capture, the lizards were placed in their cage, without food for four days, to enable them to get acquainted with their new surroundings and to work up an appetite. A small tin of water was kept in the cage, but the lizards were never observed to drink. During the 15 days that they were in captivity they were fed five times, at three-day intervals.

A check-up was made each time to determine the manner of taking the food, the sort preferred and the quantity.

Feeding No. 1—Lizard No. 1, adult female, devoured 20 immature grasshoppers, 11 katydids, seven shield-bugs and stink bugs and three spiders. Lizard No. 2, an adult male, took 13 grasshoppers, two Pentatomid nymphs, one damselfly, one spider, a yellow petal of St. Johnswort flower (taken head first). No. 2 took five grasshoppers. Shield-bugs were refused in this feeding, as were small brown ants.

Feeding No. 2—No. 1 took 10 grasshoppers (a very large one was taken head first). No. 2 took five grasshoppers. Shield-bugs were refused in this feeding, as were small brown ants.

Feeding No. 3—Large termites (Termopsis nevadensis) were the main article of diet. They were very eagerly taken by all lizards, once they became aware of the presence of the termites. No. 1 took 25 of the worker termites, one soldier termite, one centipede, one ant pupa. No. 3, a young male, took 10 of the worker termites and one soldier. Beetles and brown ants were refused. The other lizards took what termites remained. They would take them from tweezers held before them very readily, one after another.

Feeding No. 4—Consisted of large black carpenter ants and scarlet underwing moths. The ants were absolutely refused, and only lizard No. 1 ate a moth. This was caught and worked around until it was swallowed head first.

Feeding No. 5—Consisted almost entirely of mature grasshoppers about one inch long. All five of the alligator lizards ate readily, taking at least six grasshoppers apiece. In hunting, they move about rather jerkily, but not nearly as quickly as the swifts or whip-tailed lizards do in feeding. The insect is snapped quickly. To complete our files of NATURE NOTES we need several more copies of the April issue of 1929. Should you have extra copies of this issue kindly send them to the Park Naturalist, Yosemite, California.

Cold Water-Loving Owls

B. A. THAXTER

Ranger-Naturalist How wise is an owl? Can he there eager to drink. This time distinguish between pure and imthey were accompanied by one of pure water, or is he acquiring the the parent owls. This third bird cold drink habit during our July seemed shyer and remained in the hot days? Or can it be that he is background. The other two, howaping human tastes and is patronizing those fonts whose waters are ever, would come down as they did on the previous evening just as coldest and sweetest? At any rate, soon as the spectators fell back a whatever their drinking, habits may few feet. On July 20 the two young be, a family of owls at Fern Spring birds were there again shortly after recently have been furnishing Yo7 :15 p m. This time they had a semite visitors a great deal of still larger audience of admirers. pleasure and an unusual opportu but they seemed not a whit dis. nity to study a not commonly turbed by this fact. On the next known bird. three days they were seen there On July 18, 1931, about 7 :40 p. m., again just at dusk; but on the 22d as the writer with a few friends and the 23d they were observed stopped to get a drink at Fern sitting in a nearby tree in mid. Spring, near the Pohono bridge afternoon. Just how long the owls across the Merced river, his attenhad been coming to this spring for lion was attracted by a peculiar their drink before they were nowhining noise which he found was ticed we do not know. Several eve being made by two young spotted nings before the writer first saw owls that had evidently also come them they were reported from the down for a drink. The birds were same spot. quite fearless, allowing spectators Fern Spring Is one of the coldest to come within 10 or 15 feet of as well as the purest springs them. A nearer approach would known in Yosemite National Park. cause them to flop to another perch. Evidently these owls are very par but they made no attempt to go. titular about the kind of water away. When we stood back a little they drink, for they have formed way from the spring they would the habit of coming to the spring fly down and stand in the edge of every night just at dusk and not the water and drink. going away until they have satisfied their thirst. Yet every night

ANOTHER MEMBER

they have to undergo the annoyOF FAMILY once caused them by dozens of people The next evening, July 19, at 7:30 who also come there at that p.m., we paid them another visit time for water. Right across the and we again found the two young road, perhaps, 100 or 150 feet away.

is the Merced river, with shingly beaches, convenient rocks and plenty of places where these birds might drink unobserved and undisturbed. Yet they choose the better water in spite of the presence of people who flock to the place every evening for a cold drink. RARE Yosemite visitor The sight of a spotted owl (Strix occidentalis), according to both Grinnell and Dawson, is a rarity in this region. Being strictly nor. turnal in habits, the birds are not often seen. Then we know very little of their home life. Nests that have been reported were found on the face of a perpendicular cliff at points from 15 to 200 feet up. Usual ly an old raven's nest lodged in a cranny of a cliff is the home site They lay two or three white subspherical eggs and have one brood in March or April. The adult is about crow size, the female being slightly larger than the male. Its size, the rounded appearance of the head, the absence of ear tufts, the lead-colored eyes, the brown plumage with numerous abruptly con trasted white spots in transverse rows, make it easy to distinguish it from any other of our owls.

SPOTTED OWL

Strix occidentalis

HABITS OF CALLIOPE HUMMERS CHARLES D. MICHAEL

Assistant Postmaster Most of the species of our summer nesting birds, regardless of the weather, arrive in Yosemite Valley according to calendar schedule. I n other words, be it a light winter and an early spring, or a heavy winter and a late spring, the vast majority of summer visitants arrive in the valley sometime between the middle of April and the first of May. There is one species, however, to prove the rule, as it were, that fails to observe the calendar schedule and travels on weather schedule. And strangely enough, the bird to break the rule is among the very smallest of all North American birds. This tiny bird is the calliope hummingbird. The arrival of the calliope hummer in Yosemite Valley is coincident with the blooming of the manzanitas, which may be anywhere from the first week in March till the first week in May. Looking

over the records of the last 11 years during the months of March, April, I find that the arrival of calliope May and June. Of course he does varies from March 2 to May 9. The not stay on the perch all of the May 9 record was after the heavy time. He must gather in his meals winter of 1921-22. The March 2 recbetween times and also there are ord followed the exceedingly mild three other perches he visits ocFebruary of 1924. Regarding the casionally. migrations of the calliope humBesides his little gnat-catching mingbird it would appear that it jaunts there are visits to the is not a question of weather, not is blooming manzanitas, where he may it a question of calendar schedule, take both honey and insects. Also but a question of food supply. This he must protect his territory from tiny hummingbird that winters in rival hummers and give some of the mountains of Mexico seems to his time to courting when female know when the manzanitas will be blooming in Yosemite Valley and makes his plans accordingly. This year he arrived March 21.

LONGEVITY QUESTIONED

How does calliope live? What set me to wondering is the fact that for eight consecutive years a male calliope hummingbird has appeared in early spring to take possession of a certain restricted territory, in which he claims a certain few twigs as his very own perching sites. His favorite perch is a dead twig that stands out of a ceanothus thicket. Here he is to be found day after day and year after year during the months of March, April, May and June. Of course he does not stay on the perch all of the time. He must gather in his meals between times and also there are three other perches he visits occasionally.

Besides his little gnat-catching jaunts there are visits to the blooming manzanitas, where he may take both honey and insects. Also he must protect his territory from rival hummers and give some of his time to courting when female calliopes arrive on the scene. He's a violent and demonstrative lover—a true lover who lives for love alone and who refuses to be bothered with such gross affairs as squealing children and the cares of a home. Male calliope takes no part in the labors of nest building, the laying of the eggs, or the care of the twin children. He is the male for but one reason.

But I have gotten away from my wondering. The point is: I like to believe that the same individual hummer has been coming to the same perch year after year, and yet how can such a tiny bird live so many years?

THE INDIFFERENT WOODPECKERS ENID MICHAEL

Ranger-Naturalist ACORN CROP SHORT—In the Kellogg oak groves, on the north side of the valley, the California woodpecker is by far the most common bird. There is a scanty crop of acorns on the Kellogg oaks this year, and no crop at all on the Chrysolepis oaks. A few trees in the Kellogg oak groves bore a heavy crop this year, but many trees are almost barren and from all the fruiting trees acorns are falling before reaching maturity And yet the California woodpeckers seem not the least concerned. They spend their days in social ways with no apparent concern for the future. One would think that they should be storing acorns now, but perhaps there is still plenty of time.

Rattlesnake Leads to Discovery of Quail Nest Ranger-Naturalist P. J. White While scouting around the top of Eagle Peak off the trail June 26, the warning signal of a Pacific rattlesnake was heard. We immediately began a search which shortly led to the discovery of the snake coiled at the base of a rock under the thick foliage of ceanothus. Only a few inches away was the nest of a mountain quail containing eight eggs, but this we did not investigate until we had killed the snake. The few rattlers that are seen in Yosemite are all less than three feet in length and this specimen was not an exception. The food consists largely of rodents such as field mice and chipmunks which are swallowed entire. Doubtless the presence of the nest of eggs so close to the snake had no significance and was wholly accidental. As these snakes have been found at an elevation as high as 8100 feet, it was not unusual to see this one at an altitude of 7770. The following week a party found the nest deserted and the eggs cold. Possibly the quail had been frightened away by the presence of the snake.

MOUNTAIN QUAIL

Oreortyx pieta plumifera

Digitized by Yosemite Online Library Dan Anderson