August 1932

August, 1932 Volume XI Number 8

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

Published Monthly Volume XI August 1932 Number 8 Fish and Fishing in Yosemite By RANGER NATURALIST A. E. BORELL When the pioneers came to the was limited and did not meet the area now known as Yosemite demands of the public, The California Fish and Game Commission species of fish—the Rainbow trout took up the work, establishing eggand the Western sucker. These taking stations and hatcheries. Milwere confined to the floor of Yolions of trout were reared and semite valley and Hetch Hetchy planted yearly in many sections of valley. The high falls on the the State. streams which flow into these deep

HAPPY ISLES HATCHERY

valleys prevented the fish from In 1927 the California Fish and reaching the lakes and streams Game Commission established a above the floors of the valleys. hatchery at Happy Isles in YosemAlthough the Indians living in Yoite valley. This hatchery has been semite valley drew upon the fish for maintained and operated successa part of their food supply, their fully since that date. It has a ca weapons were so crude that they did pacity of approximately 1,500,000 not greatly affect the numbers of trout a year, and each year profish. The Indians used both suckduces almost that many. All of ers and trout but to the white man's these are planted in the streams taste the suckers are too soft and and lakes within Yosemite National tional Park or in adjacent areas. The quality of the flesh, the The eggs of the native Rainbow beauty and gameness of trout had and of nine other non-native trout long been known. With the coming have been hatched here and 10 species of thousands of people to California may be taken in Yosemite and the Yosemite region following streams or lakes. This year the the discovery of gold, the supply of hatchery is concentrating mainly trout in many of the Sierra streams on three species, namely, Rainbow, was depleted. Private individuals Eastern Brook and Loch Leven and sportsmen began importing and trout. These have proved to be caring trout, to be planted in our best adapted to Yosemite waters mountain streams, but this planting Trout are like all other living creatures

tures in that each species requires suits, but during the summer and certain conditions in order to fall, when the water is low, trout successfully live and propagate. The rise readily to artificial flies. differences in temperature, rate of All of our State laws regarding flow and type of food supply make fishing license, open season, and some streams and lakes suitable for bag limit apply and are enforced in certain species of trout whereas Yosemite National Park. other species can not live and reThe attitude of many people reproduce there. garding the limit is unfortunate. Proper planting of trout means If a fisherman goes on a long trip more than dumping several thouand can use 25 trout, he should not sand fry into a given lake or be criticized for taking them, but stream. Streams and lakes which he should not feel that he can 't redo not dry up and which are turn until he has his "limit." Those adapted to the species to be planted who remain in camp should not must be selected. A few young trout judge a fisherman's ability by are planted in each pool along the whether or not he gets the "limit" stream. This gives the youngsters each time he goes fishing. a chance to seek sheltered places To the true sportsman fishing where they can find sufficient food means more than merely obtaining and escape the larger fish which the maximum number of trout prey upon them. mitted by the law. It means quiet

WATERS LIBERALLY STOCKED

hours in the open away from the rush of our modern life. A trout Practically all of the suitable stream lures the fisherman on to streams and lakes in the Yosemite long hikes into regions where few region have been planted and afford good fishing. Naturally the people go. Here he not only matches his skill against the waribest fishing is found away from the ness of the trout, but he comes close main roads. In the spring when to nature. He enjoys the solitude the water is high, bait fishing in and becomes better acquainted with the deep pools brings the best rethe flowers. trees, and wild life. A Farallon Cormorant in Yosemite By RANGER-NATURALIST C. C. JENSEN It is not unlikely, but rather it is common, to have the pleasure of seeing a Farallon cormorant in Yosemite Valley. On June 25, 1932, the writer observed a cormorant Because of the rarity of the occurrence of cormorants in the Yosemite region, it was thought well to obtain some photographs immediately. Camera in hand and ready to snap, I approached cautiously, perched on a log in a pond adjoining the Merced river on the eastern edge of El Capitan Meadow. taking pictures when I had come within 25 feet of my "prey." Much to my surprise, the bird continued to preen the feathers on its back

and under its wings without concern or fear of my presence. Not heeding the water, I waded hip-deep close enough to have the bird cover the entire field of the camera. Such close approach caused much uneasiness on the part of the cormorant.

WENT TOO FAR

At the suggestion of the crowd of folks who had gathered on the shore, I made a hurried grab for the bird, so that it could be photographed by them at close range. Indignant of such rough treatment, it used its sharply-curved upper mandible to a degree that almost caused the bird's immediate release. So severe was his bite that my finger was punctured enough to flow blood. Rather than take the bird to the museum, where moving pictures could be taken at close range, and being fully aware of his protective abilities, I set him free in his home, where he has remained, leisurely feeding, until the present—July 9.

This particular individual was a young bird with dirty white or grayish underparts. Mature birds are much darker. It was queer that it allowed itself to be captured, for its rectrices and primaries were fully developed; and when released, it flew a short distance and alighted with a characteristic splash of the water and then swam freely to the center of the pond.

BRUIN IS TEMPTED

Ranger Frank Givins reported that on the same day of this observation he noted a bear attempting to catch the cormorant. His observations lasted for a period of 25 minutes, during which time the bear was very persistent in his quest for a rare morsel of food. Each time the bear came too close, the bird dived and the bear waited for the return to the surface—then repeating his antics without results. The presence of the cormorant in victor in the struggle. This same performance has been reported several times since.

Farallon cormorants measure 30 inches in total length and may be distinguished from the Brandt cormorant of the same size by the yellowish-orange patch at the base of the bill. They occur at any season on large inland bodies of water as well as along the sea coast. Nests are built in colonies or apart on the rocks off the sea coast or lake shores and high up in trees bordering inland bodies of water. They lay three to four, rarely more, pale blue or bluish white eggs. The range of this species is along the coast and inland bodies of water of California, Oregon and Southern Washington.

Only two other occurrences of Farallon cormorants in the Yosemite region have been recorded. One bird of this species was taken by Chief Ranger Townsley some time between 1916 and 1919. Grinnell and Storer in "Animal Life in Yosemite" report an observation of single birds in flight along the Tuolumne river below La Grange on May 6 and 7, 1919. New Addition To Museum Staff Cliff Presnall, Junior Park Naturalist, is the proud father of a baby boy; Jack David Presnall, born July 28 in Yosemite; weight 7 lbs. 10 ozs. Mrs. Presnall, the baby and Cliff are all doing nicely.

A New Attraction For Yosemite Motorists By C. C. PRESNALL Junior Park Naturalist The Big Oak Flat road into Yoout, and the nearby Aspen Valley semite now offers unusual scenic Lookout, symbolize the constant attractions due to the improvevigilance exercised by the National ments being made on a short side Park Service in protecting against road leading to the Merced Grove forest fires, while upon distant Lookout, which commands a wider peaks on either hand can be seen view of the park than any other two lookouts maintained by the point accessible by automobile. This Forest Service to guard the areas vantage point is reached by a 10surrounding the park. The methods minute drive from the Crane Flat used in locating and suppressing Ranger Station, 106 miles out of fires are ably explained to all visiStockton. Motorists faced with the tors by Fire Guard L. J. Holland, necessity of waiting at the Gentry who is on duty at the Merced Grove Checking Station for the control to Lookout night and day. Mr. Holopen will find it profitable to turn land takes special pride in pointing aside at Crane Flat, eight miles beout where an unusually severe fire fore reaching Gentry, and spend a was once stopped just short of the pleasant half-hour viewing the park Merced Grove of Big Trees, which from the Merced Grove Lookout. is plainly visible from the lookout. The Park Service is widening and Still more interesting to forester oiling the mile and a half of road and layman alike are the graphic that leads to the lookout, and has comparisons between different logbuilt a model fire lookout station ging methods as seen on three sides where tourists will find maps and of the lookout. To the west is a binoculars to aid them in identifyingterrible example of the greedy logging the surrounding peaks. The ging operations once universally panorama extends from Gale Peak ' employed throughout California — on the southeast corner of the park bare hillsides stripped of every to East Flange, a ridge 1 mile, tree and left naked to the elements outside the park in the opposite direction, a that are already eroding great gulrection, a total airline distance of lies in the exposed earth. South of 54 miles. Nowhere else alone, the the denuded area is a portion of the automobile roads of Yosemite Park. Stanislaus National Forest and there be seen so much of Yosemite that has been wisely logged --seed National Park at one time No one traveling over the Big Oak Flat road can afford to miss this opportunity to grasp the magnitude of California's largest park, covering an area nearly as large as Rhode Island. Still more interesting to forester and layman alike are the graphic comparisons between different logging methods as seen on three sides of the lookout. To the west is a terrible example of the greedy logging operations once universally employed throughout California—bare ten hillsides stripped of every tree and left naked to the elements that are already eroding great gullies in the exposed earth. South of the denuded area is a portion of the Stanislaus National Forest that has been wisely logged—seed trees left uncut to reforest the region and make of it again a source of profit. East of the improperly logged region is a great forest of stately sugar pines that have never been touched and never will be, thanks to the recent Rockefeller purchase which brought them

FIRE PREVENTION

The lookout also impresses visitors with a feature of Yosemite National Park that is little known: namely the conservation of forest resources. The Merced Grove Lookout is the area upon which the observer gazes the longest; the green ranks of the forest, marching over canyons and mountains as far as the eye can see, are emblematic of the spirit of men whose foresight has made possible the preservation of great national playgrounds such as Yosemite. Yosemite attracts visitors from all over the world, and points such as the Merced Grove Lookout give them a chance, before entering the incomparable valley, to realize both the magnitude of the entire park and the spirit of the National Park Service that protects it.

EVERGREEN LEGIONS

It is a region where the so-called savage past and the civilized present have merged in a surprisingly short time, as in California. In the brief span of a hundred years, even less, the Yosemite National Park of today, of world-wide fame and visited each year by nearly half a million people pleasure-bent, has emerged from the rendezvous of Indian tribes yet unseen by the white man. Necessarily much of change was crowded into a few years, and their history is fascinating. "I know of no one better fitted to present the history of that period in interesting and accurate form than C. P. Russell. For half a dozen years he was engaged in

100 YEARS IN YOSEMITE

natural history and museum work By Park Naturalist C. A. Harwell in the park, collecting, classifying and exhibiting data, both scientific I am sure all readers of our and historical. It was while enYosemite Nature Notes will be engaged in these duties that the idea terested in knowing about the newof presenting '100 Years in Yosemest book on our park, "100 Years ite' occurred to him. in Yosemite," by Dr. Carl P. Rue- "As, through strenuous endeavor, sell, who for six years was park he unearthed a wealth of material naturalist of Yosemite and was regarding the human events, of the well known to our readers. After Yosemite region, he came more years of research he has brought and more to realize the desirability—almost the duty—of presenting Yosemite's discovery and early development. form to others interested in the The book is very well illustrated, same subject. Undoubtedly, too, is published by the Stanford University Press, and is on sale at the Yosemite Museum at $3.50. played in the human history exhibHorace M. Albright, director of its by visitors to the Yosemite Muthe National Park Service, has seum. written the following foreword to "Having known this Yosemite this book : country since boyhood, I gladly give "As events and people fade into Dr. Russell's book my hearty enthe past, a glamour is thrown about dorsement." them, a deepening degree of mystery which intrigues the imagination. Especially is this true, of a

Enjoyable Cedar Waxwings By WALTER W. BENNETT, Ranger-Naturalist Of particular interest to Yosemite wax-like patches of brilliant red, visitors during the last of May, 1932, which give them their name of waxwas a flock of sleek plumaged wings. cedar waxwings (Bombycilla cedrorum Vieillot), birds which have so many peculiar habits that they always have a great human appeal.

BUCKET BRIGADE METHODS

Their manner of feeding is interesting. One will swing on the always have a great human appeal. smallest twig and reach far for a Nor are they very common in this cherry. Sometimes a row of the national park. Sometimes they birds may be seen perched on the come to the Yosemite Valley in the same branch, the one on the end fall to eat mistletoe berries, and will pluck a cherry and instead of have been reported during the wineating it will pass the fruit on to ter months, but this time it was in the next. It, in turn, may pass it the spring and because they stayed to the next and so on down the line. longer than usual there must have Reaching the last bird, the cherry been something in particular to is sometimes returned down the keep them. This was carefully line until it finally is swallowed by watched. one of the waxwings. They were first discovered by the There are hard and indigestible writer May 26, when 15 were noted parts of some fruits. Cherry seeds. in one flock in the top of a black for instance, do not make food, so oak, not far from the New Village cedar waxwings disgorge them after in Yosemite. Apparently they were their organs have used the fleshy not feeding. Although closely obpart. Then, too, feeding their served for some 20 minutes they reyoung, adults will come to the nest mained very close where their white with no food showing in their under tail coverts clearly distinbeaks, then will disgorge several guished them from the Bohemian honeysuckle berries or worms for waxwing, which irregularly comes clamoring progeny. to the region. The writer took C. And why were they in Yosemite? A. Harwell, park naturalist, to see If one studies cedar waxwings over them later in the day, when, for the United States he soon finds several minutes, both enjoyed much of their roving is due to a watching three of them leisurely search for food. Although they eat bathing in the cold waters of Yoinsects in summer, during the other semite Creek. three seasons they feast upon berNo matter how many times a perries to a large extent. And so in son has seen cedar waxwings or Yosemite it was the delicious fruit how intimately he knows their inof cultivated cherries which held teresting life, the sight of them althe interest of this flock. ways furnishes a thrill. In this case LIKE THEIR CHERRIES their crests, the soft and beautiful This was discovered on May 31 brown shading of their upper parts, when seven of the flock were feedand clean lemon yellow tips to their ing in the top of a cherry tree in tails were all noted, and on some the same locality. They were gorging themselves with the ripe fruit, then resting until it digested before

eating again. No more than seven semite before resigning their cherry were seen, so apparently the other tree to some black-headed groseight birds had gone on a northbeaks, Western tanagers and Caliward journey to their nesting. fornia purple finches. Dr. Joseph These seven were then watched Grinnell and T. I. Storer, in their daily to see when they might desplendid book, "Animal Life in the part. They were still in the neighYosemite," give May 26 as the latest borhood June 1, but on June 2 or spring date in the region, so June 1 later none could be found or even may be a new "late record." heard anywhere in the valley, so Thus do cedar waxwings add apparently June 1, 1932, was the their interesting story to the many last date when they enjoyed Yoothers which Yosemite holds forth to visitors. Yosemite Museum Received Valuable Exhibit Material By C. A. HARWELL, Park Naturalist George Pratt of New York City to the museum a bound copy of the recently presented to the National "Out-'o-Doors Section" of the StockPark Service his extensive collection Record for the year 1931, making our files complete to date. Field Naturalist of Indian baskets. alist Dr. Carl P. Russell, who was A four-volume set, each volume in formerly park naturalist of Yotwo books, of "Lives of Game Anisemite, is classifying this material mals" by Ernest Thompson Seton and distributing it to the appropriand Comstock's "Butterflies of Caliate national parks and national fornia" were presented to the mumonuments. Thirty of these baskets seum by the 1930 class of the Yohave come to Yosemite. A number semite School of Field Natural Hisof them are superior in workmantory. ship and design to any previously A file containing telegrams, corin possession of our museum. respondence, program, autographed Our national park museums must menus, et cetera, relating to the depend on the generosity of friends dedication of the Ahwahnee Hotel for practically all of their exhibit July 14, 1927, was presented to the material. The Yosemite Museum museum for our historical files by has certainly been most fortunate. Yosemite Park and Curry Company. Our park visitors marvel at the A photograph of toll rate sign at wealth of material we have on exCrockers, taken August 3, 1902, and hibit in our well organized firethe articles of incorporation of proof museum, which in itself was Mount Dana Mining Company, 1879, largely a gift of the Laura Spellman was presented by D. G. Kidder. Rockefeller Foundation and inter-Mrs. F. C. Bicknell of Los Angeested individuals.

leo presented us with eight volumes The following recent accessions of mammalian studies prepared by had not previously been reported in the Roosevelt. Wild Life Forest Exthese columns. periment Station. The Stockton Record contributed Through the interest of Field

Naturalist Carl Russell, "Far West in Matterhorn Canyon at 10,300 feet Sketches, 1890," by Jessie Benton elevation, summer of 1931, was preFremont was presented to our sented to the Museum by Jules museum. Eichorn, the finder. "Big Trees of the Giant Forest" Maps showing structure of "Sierra Stuart, Dewey Classification Nevada" Batholith between Book for use in cataloging the liMono Lake and the Mother Lode, brary, "History of Entomology" by gift of Dr. E. Cloos, Hanover, GerE. O. Essig, "Insects" by E. O. Esmany. sig, "Plant Life Through the Ages" Painting of John Muir, gift of J by A. C. Seward, "An Introduction Horace McFarland. to the Literature of Vertebrate Zoology" by Casey A. Wood, "Demons of the Dust" by W. M. Wheeler, "Common Pests" by Rennie W. Doane, "Snakes of the World," by Dr. Ditmar, "Manual of Style" the University of Chicago Press, "Structural Life of Forest Trees" by Busgen, were presented by the Yosemite National History Association.

A bequest of $4000 made by Miss Marjorie Montgomery Ward, to be used in landscaping the area back of the Museum, and developing there a wild flower garden.

A bequest of $200, also made by Miss Ward, to be used by the Yosemite Natural History Association for whatever may be deemed best. "Check List of the Forest Trees of the United States, Their Names and Ranges," by George B. Sudworth, and "Conservation in the Department of the Interior," by Secretary Wilbur and Du Puy. were presented to the Museum by the director. Three large Fagersteen photos of Yosemite were presented by Ernest Cochrane of Fresno. Painting of Mount Lyell, gift of the artist, Chris Jorgensen. Complete set of the "Encyclopedia Britannica," ninth edition, gift of M. Hall McAllister.

VALUED LETTERS

Francis P. Farquhar presented typewritten copies of two valuable manuscripts. One a letter from J. D. Whitney regarding the early survey of the Sierra, and James T. Gardner's account of his ascent of Mount Clark, with Clarence King in 1886, also descriptions of several expeditions through Yosemite. White quartz arrow point found

WHAT IS A MAMMAL?

Author Unknown Oh what in the world is a mammal? Have you puzzled a lot about that? It may be a man or a camel, It may be a seal or a bat. And really its size does not matter, It may be a mouse or a whale. It may gallop on four hoofs that clatter, Or silently swim with its tail. Though it is not a bird that wears feathers, It may fly, it may swim, it may creep. It may roam through the woods in all weather Or spend the long winter asleep. But whether its coat is like shoddy, Coarse as wire, or finer than silk, A mammal wears hair on its body And feeds its young babies with milk.

Digitized by Yosemite Online Library Dan Anderson