February 1934

February, 1934 Volume xr r 1 Number 2

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

Published Monthly Volume x111 February 1934 Number 2 Our Nature Program for Children By RANGER NATURALIST

REYNOLD E. CARLSON

The national parks have been set which are so much more easily imaside for the enjoyment and inpressed upon children than upon spiration of the people of the naadults. It was with this purpose tion; yet, it is needless to say only in mind that the Yosemite Junior a few of the people who enter them Nature School was organized. take full advantage of the opporDuring the past summer 379 inditunities there offered. It is to aid vidual children were from time to the vis'tors in gaining a fuller untime in attendance on the field derstandng and appreciation of our trips of the school. All activities parks that the educational service is were conducted with the thought offered the visiting public. However, uppermost that children should bethe interests of most adults have alcome interested in the world of narcad;; been fi'_ed by past experiture. The measure of success was encer, and many of them are innot in the actual facts garnered, capable cf gaining the fuPest mealbut in the development of a wholeone of understanding from our nasome attitude towards all natural tional parks. With children, on the phenomena. other hand, the situation is altered. An outline of the school's proHere is an opportunity to develop gram is the best method of describm att:trde towards the world of naing its activities. Each morning tare thct will be an inestimable from 9 to 10 the children under 10 source of fruitful pleasure in years years of age met in the Junior Nato come. Lure School Clubrooms at the MuThe next generation of adults, sera_:. In the first five to fifteen who 1-. i:l doubtlres have more leis• minutes the subject upon which the ure time than the prerent genera• group was concentrated for the Go. ] will find increasingly in our hour was introduced. Mondays national parks and in all of nature were generally devoted to trees, a worthy use of that leisure. While Tuesdays to birds, Wednesdays to the next generation is still in its animals, Thursdays to flowers and childhood is the time for instilling Fridays to miscellaneous subjects, those lessons in conservation and such as rocks, history, Indians, etc. a_ !reo'ation of the out-of-doors Fridays were also used on four oc9

casions for children's caravan t rips longer lieu• of meeting gave a to the fish hatchery, Indian caves, greater opportunity for short. Bilks hears, and "bird-man," all of which on such subjects as the discovery of are interesting to children. The inthe valley, Indian customs, plait retroduction for the day consisted freproduction, etc. quently of the showing of mounted The greatest problems presenting specimens from the museum, of themselves in the school were the tclks about materials brought in by difference in background and abilithe children, or of a study of flower ties of the children and the differpa_ts. The balance of the hour was once in length of stay in the school. usually spent in a. short nature walk In order to care for the more adin which an effort was made to culvanced group and for those who t:vate alert observation of all natwould spend several weeks in the oral phenomena, but especially of valley, two test cards and an award the subject for the day. Nature card for achievement were worked g ::r: es were often used to help mainout. The card for the younger chitinterest and enthusiasm. On dren consisted of 15 definite goals several occasions short stories about to be achieved, such as identifying nature subjects proved very effectrees and learning the ant-Eons tive. method of obtaining food. The test card for the older group consisted of 26 achievement tests of a more difficult nature. The emphasis in the test cards was placed on the observation and understanding of the things that were to be seen, felt or heard in the Yosemite Valley and an understanding of its interesting history. The test cards succeeded in stimulating and giving a. real sense of achievement to those children who might not be interested in the classroom repetition necessary for the benefit of the new children who were spending only a few days in the valley. The tests were given by a number of volunteer leaders, each of whom daily took two or three of the children on short walks for the specific purpose of giving them opportunities to pass tests. The test ng was made difficult enough to pr :The time from 10 to ll :30 was set vent too rapid completion, the ave' -

aside for the children from 10 to 15 age time for the completion of t' :s years of age. With this group the whole card being about seven days. same general type of program was After a student completed the t^ml used except that the material was requirements, he was given a ceradapted to the older children. The tificate signed by the park super.n-

tendent at the camp's evening camp fire program. In the course of the six-week session 46 children completed their tests and earned the award. Those over 13 years of age who had finished their tests were given an opportunity to demonstrate leadership ability and wide general knowledge of the natural history of the Yosemite region. If they seemed capable they were then classified as junior leaders and given the opportunity of helping other students and of passing other students in tests. Five children in the course of the summer were given the classification of junior leaders. A large group of the advanced children, headed by capable leaders, used much of their time in starting what may some day become a worthy junior museum. Interesting exhibits covering several phases of the natural history of Yosemite were set up. In all of the program of the school the endeavor was made to appeal to as many of the senses as possible and to attempt to create a vital interest in all of nature. This year marks the fourth year of this Junior Nature School in our Yosemite naturalist program. Enthusiastic response proves the worth of the effort.

PLANT LIFE ON ROCKY POINT

By Ranger Naturalist Reynold E. Carlson A struggle for existence, with all its dramatic interest. may be read today by the nature student at Rocky Point in Yosemite Valley. Exactly 11 years ago this February a new rock slide covered some two acres at Rocky Point. The eastern section received the heaviest slide, with the result that all existing vegetation was either swept away or covered by the new rock. Since that time new flowers, new shrubs and new trees have sought to gain a foothold on this barren eastern slope. Today the evidence of their success is plentiful. A large number of annuals and shrubs, which seem to be preparing the soil for a forest to follow, have appeared in spite of the rocky character of the slope. Yawning pentstemon, yerba santa and Brickellia californica are the most common of the many shrubs. Numerous young trees have appeared, so that the eventual appearance of a forest stand seems likely, it being probable that the trees will finally win out in the struggle for existence over the plants that first appeared on the slope. The western yellow pine is the most common tree in the section. There are approximately 30 trees of this species less than two feet high, 10 from two to four feet and five over four feet, making a total of nearly 50 trees ranging from six inches to over six feet in height. Young Douglas firs, golden-cup oaks, incense cedars, broad-leaf maples, elderberries, yellow willows and alders are also present. The fact that the majority of these trees. are under two feet in height indicates that during the last few years conditions have been especially favorable for their growth. All of these young trees seem to be in a very healthy condition.

Rare Bird Observations By A. E. BORELL Naturalist Probably most visitors to Yosem9000 feet elevation. As I passed ite feel that the park naturalists through a swampy area a VVElsoa have little chance to do more than snipe flushed close by and flew up give talks and guide parties on vas the river, giving me a chance for rious trips. This is largely true of positive identification. the summer months, but during the

HORNED LARK

remainder of the year the naturalAs I entered the upper end of ist has a wide range of duties, Tuolumne Meadows on the same some of which take him into the day, another rare bird was encounless civilized portions of the park tered. This was a small brownish and give him an opportunity to bird which was foraging in the make observations on the wild life. short grass of the dry meadow It Recently Mr. Beatty and I made permitted me to approach to %vs h a 10-day trip to the Tuolumne in 15 feet and I found that it was Meadows region, where we gatha horned lark. The following day ered data on the Lyell, Maclure. (October 25, 1933) Mr Beatty and Conness and Kuna glaciers. Among I observed a flock of about 10 other things we recorded two birds horned larks in the Dana meadows that are rare in Yosemite National at about 9800 feet elevation. So far Park. as I can learn, horned larks have

WILSON SNIPE

not been recorded previously from The Wilson snipe is a bird that is Tuolumne or Dana meadows and known to those who frequent the there are very few records of this marshes of the San Joaquin and species inside Yosemite National Sacramento valleys, but is very Park boundaries. rarely seen inside the park. It has POOR-WILL been reported from Yosemite valShortly before leaving on the ly, but has, so far as I can learn, glacier trip I saw the first poorwill never been recorded from any oththat I have ever seen in Yosemite er part of the park. On October Poorwills, because of their noctur24, 1933, I was hiking along the Lynal habits, are rarely seen except ell fork of Tuolumne river at about by those who recognize them at

night, as they fly up from the road The blue-fronted jays usually spend at the approach of a car. On the their time hunting for acorns, berwest. slope of the Sierra they live vies, ground-crawling insects and primarily in the upper Sonoran life their larvae and nuts. The woodzone, but occasionally they stray peckers hunt for acorns and treeas high as Yosemite valley, which boring insects; the robins scurry is in the transition zone. However, across the ground in search of poorwills are so rare here that few worms and insects that may be hidresidents and visitors of Yosemite ing there. Yet each of these three have ever seen one. On the mornkinds of birds has been seen sitting ing of October 6, 1933, I found a on a branch which forms a vantage poorwill in one of our banding point from which to survey a gartrips. The trap was set on the den or open glade. Carefully they ground beneath an open stand of watch the air lanes, and when young white fir in Camp 19. The moths and beetles fly by, out they poorwill probably hopped into the dart in the most approved flycatchtrap by accident or went in after er style, taking a buffet supper as insects that may have been feeding they go and return to the same on bread crumbs which had been placed there for bait. As poorwills were insect feeders, it is not likely that this one entered the trap for the bait. Although records of the occurrence of birds in Yosemite National park have been made since 1851, still hardly a year passes during which a new bird is not added to the list. Records of rare visitors or extension of the range of the more common species are made almost monthly. The fact that our bird population is not constant and new observations are always possible adds stimulus to the study of birds. Blue-fronted Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri frontalis)

"AIR-MINDED" BIRDS

branch to await a second course. It would seem that this change in the By Ranger Naturalist Craig menu and style of getting food Thomas would correspond to a beach picnic " Air-mindedness" has taken the in our summers. At least they give country by storm in the past few every evidence of having a good years, but some of Yosemite's time without the subsequent cleanground and tree-living birds seem, ing up we must go through after to have beaten the country to it. our picnics.

Camping in Yosemite

A. E. BORELL

Naturalist Living in a tent has its disadvandisappeared into the night. More tages but it also has advantages; food was put out and the visit of especially to those who derive real the foxes became almost a nightly enjoyment from seeing wild animals occurrence. They soon became tame in their natural state. A ranger in enough for the observer to ap- Yosemite, who formerly lived in proach to within 30 or 40 feet. One a tent, remarked that he enjoyed evening, with the aid of a flashlight• the conveniences of the house reI followed the foxes back into th-cently assigned to him but missed woods along the edge of the talus

being close to the out-of-doors as slope A rustle in the leaves caused he was when he lived in a tent. me to turn the light to one side It has been my pleasure to live to and there not 20 feet away was one a tent in Camp 19 for about 12 of nature's most independent creamonths during the past two years. tures--a skunk. It was busy forag- Our tent, in the naturalists ' section ing for insects or mice among th" of Camp 19, was located among rocks and leaves and paid little at pines and firs at the base of a talus tention to me. As usual, the skunk slope. During part of the time no tended strictly to its own affairs one else lived in the camp so there so long as I did not disturb it. was little to disturb the animal life Occasionally a coyote was seen Birds of many species were about from the door of the tent and we the tent every day. Food placed on could expect at least one heat to tables was always an attraction and visit the camp sometime during enabled us to observe at least 13 species of birds at close range. Deer passed through the camp almost daily and usually stopped to see if there was any food on the tables, We noticed during one period that all of the food disappeared every night. even the crumbs were gone. Something besides the birds and deer were cleaning the tables. One evening as we drove home the lights of the car gave us a glimpse of some animal leaping from the y bird table. Perhaps it would return. We waited quietly a few minutes,' then again turned on the lights and to our surprise saw two gray foxes ' on the table. They fed for a few i moments then jumped from the table and trotted toward the woods They stopped to look back at the lights, one sat upon a rock and then the dcv or a 'ght A mother hey: occasionally brought her cubs to the camp to search for food

A few times during the summer months we had an opportunity to see a strange animal of which most people have never even heard. Although relatives of the raccoons, they are called miners' cats or ring-tailed cats, and the reason so few people see them is because they are strictly nocturnal. They are retiring and quiet in their movements; but the camper who lives in a quiet portion of the park may have the thrill of seeing one of these animals as it goes quietly about his tent seeking mice, insects or scraps. If the camper puts out food he may be rewarded by having the miners cat pay him a visit. A sudden thump of something striking the tent and the scurrying about of an animal obviously larger than a mouse may cause the uninitiated some alarm. If he investigates with a strong flashlight he will probably see two marl glowing eyes. As he goes closer the animal will spring to a nearby tree and the camper will recognize the flying squirrel. This is another creature which came often to feed at the bird tables Occasionally one would get caught in a bird banding trap. which would give us an opportunity to examine it closely. Within a few minutes after capture it was usually tame enough to eat bits of walnut from our fingers. One of these captured squirrels was released on the base of a power line pole. It promptly climbed to the very top of the pole and glided to a tree 30 yards away One night the distress cries of a blue-fronted jay caused me to rush out to investigate The cries

became s soc less vigorous and by the time I reached the tree from which disturbance came I could hear but a faint gasping A powerful flashlight revealed a spotted owl perched on the limb of a large yellow pine holding in its talons the lifeless body of the jay. I watched the owl for a time as it tore into the flesh of the bird and the feathers drifted toward the ground. Nature is not always so kind as many people would like to imagine. These incidents give some idea of the camper's opportunity to become acquainted with many kinds of birds and animals and to learn something of their ways and their struggles.

BRIEF NOTES SIERRA HERMIT THRUSH

Just below the ranger station at the Mariposa Grove, a Sierra hermit thrush's nest was observed June 30. There were four young thrushes in the nest which were nearly large enough to leave the nest. The nest was located about two feet from the ground in a clump of chinquapin (Castanopsis sempervirens). Among other materials used in the construction of the nest was a considerable amount of staghorn lichen.

Sunlight is Fatal to the Pacific Rattlesnake By ANN HUNT, 1933 Field School, Yosemite National Park An interesting observation on the space, on a gravelly surface, and amount of direct sunlight necessary prevented from escaping. It rattled to kill a Pacific rattlesnake (Crovigorously when aroused and irri talus oreganus) was made by the tated. After a few abortive atmembers of the Yosemite School of tempts to strike at sticks it began Field Natural History on July 22. to show signs of weakening and The specimen was found by one of tried again to escape. the girls at Chowchilla Mountain After 13 minutes of sunlight it Ranger Station (altitude 6600 feet) rolled over once or twice, then as she was walking along an old righting itself it remained writhing fallen log in crossing an azalea somewhat for a few seconds before thicket. repeating the action. This it did The snake was about three feet four or five times. In 171; minutes long and beautifully patterned with it was apparently dead, and rethe characteristic black markings, mained belly upward, stretched full roughly hexagonal on a grayishlength. Then a reflex action in the brown background, and was tightly head and about two inches of the coiled. It was almost perfectly probody was observed. the mouth open tected by cryptic coloration in this ing wide and showing the fangs and particular environment. It appeared trachea very clearly. During this very indifferent to us, and gave no "post mortem" action, the fangs warning except to protrude the were relaxed, whereas they had tongue, and made no effort to esbeen shown in rigid fighting posicape. It was therefore an easy mattion before. The mouth remained ter for one of the men to secure its open wide. The body after 18 minhead with a forked stick while anutes of exposure to sunlight felt other grasped it behind the "ears." very warm to the touch. A swelling Since the "amphibian specialist" in the middle portion of the body wished to preserve the specimen in indicated that the snake had re good shape for the Yosemite Museum. it was decided to commit the cently fed. It bore seven rattles. rattler to death by sunlight. At the one nearest the body being al Al 01 a. m. it was placed in an open most black, and one button.

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