September 1932

-Vol. Xl September 1932 No. 9

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

Published Monthly Volume XI September 1932 Number 9 A Coral King Snake of Peculiar Coloration By L. M. KLAUBER Curator of Reptiles, San Diego Society of Natural History Recently on a trip to Yosemite I separate them. was interested in seeing, among the As one examines a series of L. e. captive snakes on exhibition at the boylii and L. multicincta a number Museum, an adult coral king snake of points are noted in which they (Lampropeltis multicincta) with two differ. The dark rings of boylii none of the familiar red in its color, vary through all shades of brown, ation, the pattern consisting entirebut are never as dark as the black ly of black and white rings. Only in of multicincta. The light rings of three of the mid-dorsal rings were boylii widen conspicuously on the there vestiges of the missing color sides, particularly when reaching in the form of three narrow graythe ventrals, while those of multiish streaks faintly marring the cincta widen little, if at all. The black. I am told that these two snout of boylii is light or of light color coral king snakes are not uncommon scales mottled or edged with darker; multicincta, on the other hand, It is worth noting that the usual has a black snout, rarely with a keys, such as those of Blanchard light spot on the top. Perhaps the and Van Denburgh, fail when apmost definite way of segregating plied to a snake such as this, for the two is to employ the color of they differentiate the getulus group the anterior supralabials as an alfrom triangulum, elapsoides, pyroternate key character, thus: melana and multicincta by the (a) Some red in coloration or presence or absence of the red. with anterior supralabials black, L. Thus if this specimen be worked multicincta; (aa) no red in coloraout by the key it will be determined tion and with anterior supralabials as being Boyle's king snake (lamlight, with or without dark edges, propeltis getulus boylii). L. g. boylii. It so happens that the scale torIt should be understood that such mulae of multicincta and boylii a key would be applicable only to overlap so that some characteristic California king snakes; it would of pattern must be adopted to sep- fail if applied to L. pyro melana of Arizona. I

A Timberline Giant By RANGER NATURALIST

CARL SHARSMITH

The white-bark pine (Pinus albiscribed above. Due to the strength caulis) is the timberline tree of Yoof the prevailing westerly winds, semite National Park. On the exthey bear limbs only on their eastposed and wind-swept alpine slopes ern side. On the less exposed hillof timberline the trees are characslope above the South Fork of the teristically dwarfed, with low, twistTuolumne river, about one mile heed and often prostrate trunks. Sev fore the pass is reached, the trees eral trunks may occur from a singrow upright and to a height of gle base, and the whole tree, about 20 or 30 feet. At 10,500 feet though only six or eight feet in altitude, and at the point where the height, may spread out over the Parker Pass trail branches off, ground so that it is several times stands a huge white-bark pine. It broader than high. Frequently the is so distinctive, and so much largtrees form such dense, low and flat er than any other white-bark pine mats that they can be walked over I have seen in the park, that carewith comparative ease. At its lowful measurements were taken. er altitudinal range, which is TEN TRUNKS usually not below 9500 feet in YoTen trunks arise near the ground semite Park, the white-bark pine from what seems to be a single sometimes reaches a height of 40 base, most of the trunks measurfeet. Trees as large as this only ing from two to two and one-half grow in the more protected places, feet in diameter. The diameter of and in such situations the trunk of the whole tree at the base is 10 the tree is often single, though two feet, while the diameter of the or three trunks may come from a largest trunk is three and one-half single base. feet. Critical scrutiny led to the

PURE STANDS

conclusion that it is all one tree. Above 10,000 feet altitude the trail and not several trees which have to Mono Pass and Bloody Canyon grown together at the base. These passes through pure stands of measurements far exceed the sizethese timberline trees. Directly in limitations usually given for this the pass on the canyon slopes above species. To my knowledge this, the trees are mainly dwarfed and considered as a single tree, is the prostrate mats, similar to those delargest white-bark pine yet found in the park.

A Walking Stick and a Record By H. A. ANDERSON Ranger Naturalist A bend in the trunk of a young small trees, and after they have Sequoia gigantea standing about 35 reached their full height at maturfeet west of the Haverford Tree in ity at from 900 to 1000 years. the upper grove was pointed out Now, that we have the present by Ranger Henry Skelton (retired) check upon this tree's rate of July 29, as the place from which growth, it should be interesting to Galen Clark, discovered of the measure it at intervals during its grove (1857), cut himself a walkinglife time until it reaches that slowstick either in the year 1858 or 1859. ing down of maturity. These fuMr. Skelton reports that Galen ture measurements will be left to Clark, in 1903 or 1904, told him of later generations of Park Service having removed the top of the tree, engineers. Just as Galen Clark, the 45 years before, and commented first guardian of the grove, and upon its growth during those years. Henry Skelton, the first ranger in Clark had pulled the young sapthe park, have passed their observations on to us, we leave our records of 1932 for those who follow abrupt decrease in size occurs above this point, but the new lateral branch, which took up the terminal growth, still shows a bend of a few inches where it changed directions to assume the lead position. The tree was measured, by a government engineer, August 2, and found to be 131 feet tall. It has thus made a length growth of 110 feet in the 73 or 74 years, or has averaged practically 18 inches per year after the tree was over the 20-foot stage. The diameter of the tree above the butt swell (three feet above ground) was found to be three feet, six inches. '

IN LOW PLACE

This young tree stands in a low place, in a thicket of creek dogwood, with good water and drainage conditions and is in excellent loamy soil, rich in humus. It seems very typical in vigor as compared with other trees of its kind in similar locations. It is common observation that the trees have their slowest growth in the years of infant struggle before they have evertopped the nearby brush, or other

BRIEF NOTES

By C. C. PRESNALL Junior Park Naturalist Accidental visits paid to Yosemite valley by birds not usually expected here are a matter of frequent occurrence and much interest. On June 4, an immature gull was seen on a large river pool near Camp 16 by Ranger Billy Nelson. Campers reported that the gull had been there for a week previous. Several persons studied it through glasses during the remaining two days that it stayed on the pool, but no one was able to determine whether it was a California gull or a ring-billed gull, since the juvenile plumage of the two species is very confusing. The first fawns of the season were, as usual, reported by Ranger Bill Reymann, who is stationed at Chinquapin, where deer are numerous. He saw a pair of fawns on June 25, which is considerably later than last year.

Freshly fallen snow in mid-July this spring and reached a length of was one of the thrills enjoyed by one and one-half inches. Most of the Yosemite visitors on the night of grayling, of which 45,000 were July 12. Early risers at Camp planted immediately after hatching Curry exclaimed at the white covering June 19, 1930, seem to have ering seen on the higher rims of moved down into the stream below the valley, and campers in Tuolthe lake. Both the lake and stream. umne Meadows reported two and located at about 9000 feet elevation. one-half inches of snowfall during contain abundant food, which will the night, in Mr. Topp's opinion, assure rapid A bobcat was seen near Camp natural reproduction in all the adCurry one night in early July by jacent waters. In order to give the Mr. Sonn, the birdman. The cat fish every opportunity to succeed, came prowling close to Mr. Sonn's Chief Ranger Townsley has agreed camp, apparently attracted by suet to keep the area closed to fishing put out for the birds. for several years. The native haunts of the Montana grayling are limited to the tributaries of the Missouri river above Great Falls, where it is fa mous as a game fish of fine appearance and delicate flavor, some times attaining a weight of over two pounds. There are but two other species of graylings in North America—the Arctic grayling, the Michigan grayling. The family to which they belong, Thymallidae, is closely related to the Salmonidae (trout and salmon), and the grayling in habits and external charac teristics closely resembles a trout. The chief marks of distinction are the iridescent silvery gray color and the extremely long and high dorsal fin. This first successful planting of Montana grayling in California will be watched with great interest by sportsmen throughout the State, and doubtless other high lakes and streams may be stocked successful ly by following closely the procedure developed in Yosemite by Mr. Topp.

MONTANA GRAYLING PROVE SUCCESSFUL IN YOSEMITE

By C. C. Presnail, Junior Park Naturalist Disciples of Izaak Walton will rejoice that a successful planting of Montana grayling* has at last been made in California waters. Repeated attempts to introduce this desirable fish have failed until this year, when the Yosemite Fish Hatchery reported unusual success in planting the grayling in one of the high lakes of Yosemite National Park. A recent examination of this lake showed that the fish planted there two years ago were not only growing at an amazing rate but were already reproducing successfully. As reported by Peter Topp, foreman of the Yosemite Fish Hatchery, who visited the lake in company with Ranger Sam King on August 11, the fish had attained a length of 13 1/2 inches and weight of 3/4 of a pound. He also saw many young grayling that had hatched

Largest Trout Caught in Yosemite By C. C. JENSEN, Ranger-Naturalist When a fisherman trying his Guesses of from eight to 10 luck in that portion of the Merced pounds went awry as the trout, a river that flows through the YoLoch Leven, tipped the scales to semite valley is approached with 12 pounds and 9 ounces. The total the greeting, "How many?" the length was 27 1/2 inches The writer answer is often a smile or the raisopened the fish with the idea of ing of a number of fingers on one examining the stomach contents in hand. Such response is especially order to learn what types of food true when the water in the river a trout of this size was taking. It is high, for enough natural food is was entirely devoid of food, but had being carried to keep the fish plentifully fed. Then, too, hundreds of evidently been in the habit of deceiving angler's bait as evidenced fishermen gamble their skill along by the presence of a No. 8 long the easily accessible portions of the shank hook which was deeply river and gradually take the gluthooked through the central part of tonous fish who are not content the stomach. The trout was a fewith their natural food supply. male laden with five ounces of roe, However, away from the beaten the largest egg of which measured trail, the streams and lakes of the. 2 mm. in diameter. "back country" afford ample sport This specimen was taken below for both the skilled and novice the Giant Yellow Pine' with light fisherman at all times during the tackle, a single gut leader, and a season. No. 6 hook baited with angleworms: In some of the larger holes In Mr. Hatch had previously taken the Yosemite valley region are one four 12-inch trout from the same or more large fish that 'look like locality. submarines" as they swim up to BIG ONES SEEN the fisherman's hook and then nosSeveral large fish have been chalantly swim away. Many have caught in Yosemite waters, but the tried in vain to take these monlast one exceeds the others in strous, well-educated trout, and weight. At the present time the each year supposedly the same fish following specimens are on display are seen in the same locality. at the museum.

A TWELVE-POUNDER

European, weighing 9 pounds 3 Regardless of the general rule ounces, length 29½ inches, taken the tables are occasionally turned by Albert Skelton, June 5, 1924. On Sunday. July 17, at 4:30 p. m., European. 9 pounds 15 ounces, F. Hatch of Paso Robles, Calif. length 28¼ inches, bait No. 4 (salentered the Yosemite Museum with mon eggs), taken by U. N. Gilbo, the largest trout ever recorded in June 5, 1924. Yosemite With the modesty and Loch Leven, 5 pounds 14 ounces, unboastfulness of a good sports length 24 inches, bait No. 6 (angleman Mr. Hatch presented his catch worms), taken by Dick Noall, June. to the museum as a specimen with 1932. the comment, "Here's a big fish Loch Leven, 12 pounds 9 ounces. if you want it—I like the small 27 1/8 inches, bait No. 6 (angler ones better for eating," worms), taken by F. Hatch, July 2, 1932.

A Cony on Half Dome By LARRY F. HOSBROOK, Field School, 1931 Late in the evening of July 15, stalk after stalk of grass and rap1932, when the writer and a friend idly dispatched them in true rabbit climbed Half Dome to enjoy an unfashion. obscured and, unusual view of the The hour was 7 :45 p. m., dusk was firefall, both were quite surprised. rapidly falling and the cony was to find a Yosemite cony in the evidently hungry, checking his meal slight depression on top of that isoonly long enough to hop from one lated and seemingly barren mass of small clump of grass to another granite. The animal's presence was The writer was now alone with the first denoted by the characteristic cony. By direct approach the dis- "check-ik" alarm note which a pertance was reduced to 18 inches and son seldom, if ever, confuses with still the little "haymaker" held his that of any other living animal once ground, keeping his compact little body taut and ready for instant escape should a quick, unguarded motion be made by his observer. For 15 minutes the cony stayed within a five-foot radius, darting under his rock protection only once during that time. Not until 8 p. m., when darkness had fallen, did the animal dash under his rock shelf to return no more from the scant protection which it afforded, Several days later Ranger-Naturalist Adrey Borell reported having seen one cony on top of Half Dome and one in the saddle at the base of the cable. Although the loose rocks which conies frequent are scarce on Half Dome's sheer walls, there are weathered crevices up its sides which could afford pro the call is heard distinctly and identified. The two observers approached to a distance of 15 feet and watched the little animal as it nipped off

tection for the hurried movement of experience was recently the writer's. a small cony, the rat-brown color of which blends in so evenly with the On August 19, 1932, I was leading gray-brown granite. one of our regular parties of sixWhy conies should be seen and day hikers on the trail across from reported from Half Dome this year Glen Aulin High Sierra Camp to for the first time is only a matter Tenaya Lake. We left camp at 1 of speculation. No cony haystacks o'clock and at 3 o'clock had have been reported there yet, and reached the highest point on the it is doubtful that the sparse growth divide between the Tuolumne and of plant life will be sufficient to Tenaya Lake. We had noticed at maintain one cony throughout the this point a number of large, cat fall and winter. Should a whole like tracks in the dust and had family seek existence on that windcommented on their apparent freshswept granite dome it is more than ness. A few hundred yards farther likely that they will fail. Subseon as we swung around a bend in quent years, however, will deterthe trail we came upon a mountain whether Half Dome is to be inhabited lion sitting on a large boulder by the cony or not.

SIX-DAY HIKERS SEE MOUNTAIN LION

By B. A. Thaxter, Ranger Naturalist How many people have ever really seen a mountain lion in his native wilds? Reports frequently come to us here in the Yosemite that hikers on some of our most traveled trails have seen one of these big cats. As a matter of fact. however, these reports can almost never be substantiated. A deer may jump in the brush by the trailside—a flash of reddish brown may be seen--and someone comes in and reports having seen a mountain lion without having seen anything naps 50 or 60 yards away. One more than this flash of color. But glance at us and he was off, and we do know that there are a few two or three bounds took him out of these beasts in Yosemite. We of sight. estimate there are about 15 in our GRINNELL'S DESCRIPTION 1169 square miles of park. They are "In general appearance," says on very infrequent occasions seen Grinnell, "the mountain, lion, save by some fortunate hiker. Such an for its far larger size, is much like

a domestic cat, The head is short tains, no one has been reported to and massive, the forelegs are of have been molested by lions." heavy build, the body rather slender, and the tail long and cylindrical with an even covering of hair

TO A SQUIRREL

clear to the end, but with no 'tasBy Beth Allen sel.' The mountain lion is several times the size of a large mountain (During the summer of 1932) the coyote or a Sierra Nevada wolverauthor of the poem below went on ine." several of our guided nature walks, Ours was a large cat that looked special bird trips and hikes in Yosemite six or seven feet long and weighed and learned to understand possibly from 125 to 150 pounds. Its and sympathize with nature. One color was a rich reddish brown and day, when some friends found a we particularly noticed how blunt squirrel lying dead on the highway and square cut the end of its tail near Camp 16, Yosemite Valley, seemed to be. they gave it a fitting burial. This Grinnell and Storer, in their "Animal Life in Yosemite," say "The ode was written for the little creature. Miss Allen is a junior in a northwestern mountain lion, which San Francisco high school, yet the is also known as cougar, panther poem is far more remarkable than and puma, is the second largest carthe work of most adults.--Rangerniverous mammal in the Yosemite Naturalist Walter W. Bennett.) region, being exceeded in size only Life has sweet joys for lesser things by the bears. The mountain lion In sun and shade and placid days; is large and strong enough, no The heavens smile on tiny wings, doubt, to prey upon human beings And fill the heart that soaring, if it so chose; but instead of being sings, the terror of the country, as are And guard the busy ways. lions and big cats in other parts of the world, our lion has practically A blessing lies on small bright dyes, never been known to attack a perAnd workers small that toil; son and, indeed, very seldom does With beak and jaw and furry paw it come to notice at all. Many perObedience is taught to Law sons, even woodsmen and hunters, In His own mountain soil. long resident in regions where So, fittingly, unto that earth mountain lions occur, have never Has come a creature small so much as caught sight of one. To pause for rest—and then play And in spite of the hundreds and play even thousands of persons who In mountains of Eternal day camp each summer in the mounWhere Love is Law for all.

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