January 1940

YOSEMITE NATURE NOTES VOL. XIX

January 1940 No. 1 Badger Pass Ski Area

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

Published Monthly

VOL. XIX JANUARY, 1940 NO. 1 THE RETURN OF THE CALIFORNIA GRAY SQUIRREL

By Ranger-Naturalist Ernest A. Payne The last five years have brought become scaly, sores appear on the a noticeable change in the number body and there is a general loss of of California Gray Squirrels (Sciurus hair. As the mite continues its work griseus griseus) in Yosemite Valley. in the skin complete debilitation One of the activities of the 1935 class takes place and death follows. of the Yosemite School of Field According to Dr. H. C. Bryant in Natural History was to take a one California Fish and Game for April day census of the deer, bears and 1921, the disease first appeared gray squirrels on the valley floor. among the squirrels on the GeorgeThe deer and bears were found in town Ridge in the El Dorado Nalarge numbers but only two gray tional Forest in 1917. From that squirrels were reported and one of region the disease spread rapidly these was badly diseased. If a simto most parts of the State. In 1920 ilar survey were undertaken now it official reports (California Fish and is very evident that the results Game, January 1922) indicated that would be quite different. the animals in Shasta and Klamath In addition to the usual controlNational Forests had suffered heavling factors such as predatory birds ily. The disease must have adand carnivorous mammals which vanced with lightning-like swiftness tend to maintain the rodent-predator for it was also in 1920 and 1921 balance, the population of California that it reached Yosemite and ravaged the gray squirrels here. By duced by an epidemic which found 1926 the animals had been reduced ideal conditions for its spread duralmost to the point of extermination ing a period of squirrel abundance throughout the Yosemite area. in many forest areas in California. Following a period of several This particular scourge was an years during which the future of outbreak of a skin disease, mange the gray squirrel in Yosemite or scabies caused by a mite of the seemed to be in a very precarious genus Notoedres. During the course position, the population of this beauof the disease the head and neck tiful arboreal animal appears now

to be definitely on the increase. Although they are not so common as they were prior to the epidemic, they are frequently seen in all parts of the valley. Sierra Chickaree With the almost total disappearance of the gray squirrel in Yosemite there has occurred an interesting change in the distribution of another tree squirrel, the Sierra Chickaree (Sciurus douglasii albolimbatus) or red squirrel. In reference to the normal distribution of these two rodents Grinnell and Storer (Animal Life in Yosemite, pages 196-203) state that "At the upper margin of the Transition Zone. the range of the Gray Squirrel meets that of the Red Squirrel or Chickaree, a species of similar food habits; and the ensuing competition seems to be one of the factors operative in limiting the upward extension of the Gray Squirrels' range." Then again, "This species (the Chickaree) is not found in the company of its relative, the Gray Squirrel, save where the ranges of the two overlap slightly on the west slope and in exceptional instances when the chickarees in numbers move down into the Transition Zone.... Occasional individuals are to be seen in Yosemite Valley." The above observation was recorded before the epidemic had devastated the gray squirrel population. For the perpetuation of any species of animal life the range occupied by that species must provide a shelter from enemies, a place in which to rear the young and a sufficient supply of proper food. If two species of similar needs are competing for the same limited range California Gray Squirrel it would seem logical to believe that one of two ultimate results would ensue, that is, one or the other of the contenders must give way in favor of the stronger or secondly, there may develop an ad-

justment between the two species doubtedly has the upper hand. Will With a limited number of each coinit continue to dominate the situapeting for the available suitable tion or will the gray squirrel be able to win back its former territory? This range. situation offers a very practical At the present time the chickaree study in animal ecology and its outis one of the most commonly obcome will be watched with extreme served rodents in the valley and uninterest.

THE LABORS OF A CONY

By Edward Butts, Field School '39 During bright, sunny days at high awakened by several sharp squeaks altitudes in the Sierra the pert and of the cony which had evidently Saucy little cony is as busy as a bee noticed me moving. I sat up cautiwatching for intruders while preparously and noticed a cony sitting up ing for the long winter. However, straight and intently watching for careful and quiet study is needed to further movements. It evidently canfully observe this animal 's activities. not see too plainly as it held its One warm afternoon, August 5, nose almost vertically into the air 1939, feeling sleepy I decided to take and sniffed in all directions. The a nap on a long talus slope below wind favored me so that I sat for Summit Lake at an elevation of 10,- five minutes watching the cony. I 600 feet. After dozing awhile, I was was struck with the profile above its

nose as the front of its face showed low tips, thirty-one phacelia flower distinctly the two angles of the heads, sixteen carex, one stem of head. Finally it darted over the Lupinus longipes, and two plants of rocks and disappeared for sixteen Queen Anne 's Lace. The willow was minutes after which it made fourof the tender new foliage and was teen quick trips carrying hay to its quite palatable to human taste. I den. After that it disappeared for tasted the phacelia seeds and was eighteen minutes, then came sixteen pleasantly reminded of soft young trips in rapid succession to the den. wheat grains. I gathered from this it would relay A most interesting fact about this the hay up near the base of the cony was that while it always enrocks then quickly dash into the tered its home from the same enrefuge with its food. This would be trance, never once in four hours did beneficial as an enemy waiting near it emerge from where it entered. A its house might get it if it was too closer examination showed four much in evidence. exits. This is significant because its During the four hours I watched greatest enemy, the Red Fox, might its activities, it made four long trips await it where it disappeared. All foraging for food and then from its waste and droppings were outeight to sixteen quick trips in one side near the exits. series to its burrow. Altogether fortyThe cony is remarkably quick three loads were carried into its rock and agile. It reveals countless inhome. I examined the hay pile carefully. stincts in escaping enemies, living Of one hundred and twelve pieces in inaccessible places, and storing of vegetation, sixty-two were wilfood for the long winter.

THREE SPECIES OF NUTHATCHES SEEN TOGETHER

By C. A. Harwell, Park Naturalist Mrs. Junea Kelly, President of the Audubon Association of the Pacific reported the observation of seeing two Pygmy Nuthatches and hearing several others on the Illilouette Fall Trail just below Glacier Point on September 6, 1939. They were plainly seen to forage on Jeffrey Pine cones, and on branches of a standing dead tree. At the same spot she heard and saw Slender-billed and Red-breasted Nuthatches. Observations of Pygmy Nuthatches are uncommon in Yosemite, and to have all three possible species present at once was unusual indeed.

FOOD AND FEEDING HABITS OF THE SIERRA NEVADA ROSY FINCH

By Vincent Mowbray, Field School 1939 During the high trip of the 1939 fashion" on the disk flowers of students of the Yosemite School of Hulsea algida. This bird would hop Field Natural History, several obup from a rock to the flower head nervations were made on the food and as the head sagged down it and feeding habits of the Sierra would pick off a number of the disk Rosy Finch (Leucosticte flowers and hop to the rock with tephrocotis dawsoni Grinnell) as folthem in its beak. Here it would relows. move the ovary of the flower leaving July 30. At the small lake in the the rest of it on the rock. This rock

Option to the south of Lower Mcwas found, on closer examination, Cabe Lake, elevation 10,500 feet, the to be covered with the remnants of I also observed at least eight rosy many of the disk flowers. It is also finches near a snow bank which interesting to note that though there appeared to be "flycatching " On were several flower heads in that August 1, George Petrides found at particular group only one of them least 50 individuals of this species had been used by this bird. at this point and they, also, apAugust 2. On the talus slope at appeared to be catching insects. On the southwest side of Sheep Peak, August 2, however, Vera Moncrief elevation 11,000 feet, Vera Moncrief and the writer found there were and the writer observed one bird only two birds in this vicinity. It was feeding on the matured seeds of later suggested by Dr. Robert Arenaria nutallii. It also appeared Ringer that this increase in numto be picking up objects from the bers might possibly have been corsand on the slope. related with the emergence of the August 5. On a grassy slope near Mayfly larvae which he had found the head of Virginia Canyon, elevato be extremely common in the lake tion 10,000 feet, Vera Moncrief obon July 30 but which were very served one individual feeding on the scarce there on August 2. disk flowers of Railardella scaposa. July 30. On the talus slope at the August 6. On the ridge between south side of Lower McCabe Lake, Soldier Lake and Spiller Canyon, elevation 10,200 feet, Betty Hone obelevation 10,600 feet, Betty Hone, served one individual feeding on the Mr. Joseph Dixon, and Oscar Valheads of Pussy Paws (Calyptridium entine observed between 15 and 20 urnbellatum (Torr.) Greene). individuals feeding avidly on the July 31. On the talus slope at the heads of Eriogonum lobbii. The birds south side of Shepherd Crest, eleva- were so busy feeding that they al-11,800 feet, Vera Moncrief, lowed the observers to approach James E. Cole and the writer ob- within a few feet of them. observed a bird feeding in "goldfinch This is not meant to be a com-

plete report of the food of the Sierra Nevada Rosy Finch but it may serve as an indication of the types of food preferred by this species at this time of year.

CEDAR WAXWINGS

Ranger-Naturalist Lowell Adams Bird students generally are acquainted with the habit of Cedar Waxwings (Bombycilla cedrorum) of exchanging food. As the birds gorge themselves on berries they seem to become surfeited and sit side by side on a limb. Then one picks a berry and, apparently too full to swallow it, passes it to its neighbor who may swallow the berry or pass it on in turn. On April 3, 1939, I observed this behavior in Yosemite Valley. But on this occasion the exchange of food was accompanied by a sort of activity new to me. To quote from field notes describing two waxwings perched near each other in a black oak tree : "One hops sideways to side of second, then away again about six inches, then back in quick, rapidly successive jumps. Then second touches bill of first. One even sticks bill inside other 's bill." Other pairs were performing similarly nearby. Two were doing the sideways hopping toward and away from each other when a third waxwing flew to the limb between them and started to hop with the one on its left. The bird that had been thus cut out of the program sat quietly on the branch. The two that were hopping apparently had bits of something in their bills. As they stopped hopping and perched side by side, their bodies touching, they turned their heads and their bills met. But so far as I could see there was no exchange of the material in the bills. As I watched these maneuvers between several sets of birds I was able to make a few tentative generalizations. Usually only one bird hopped at a time, but sometimes both hopped at once. The one that did not hop seemed to be the one which took the initiative in proffering its bill. Sometimes I could see something in the proffered bill, sometimes I couldn't. The birds were apparently eating the bursting buds of the California Black Oak (Quercus kelloggii).

RED FIR AT HIGH ELEVATION

By Vincent Mowbray, Yosemite Field School, 1939 While camping near the head of Virginia Canyon at an elevation of 10,000 feet I was quite surprised to notice a small Red Fir (Abies magnifica) growing in close association with White-bark Pines. This tree was about eighteen inches in height and was growing under a very large Whitebark Pine which seemed to be in a position to protect it from the winds which blow down the canyon. This is evidently a new elevation record for Yosemite National Park as Red Fir seldom grows above 9,000 feet.

A RECENT DEVELOPMENT IN FISH PLANTING PRACTICES

By Ranger-Naturalist Harold E. Perry The whole story of fish culture, From the stripping of eggs and milt to the actual planting of small fry, is one of great care and precaution. Carelessness at any point along the way might easily result in great mortality. One of the crucial stages in the last chapter of the fascinating story Of fish culture is reached during the journey to the planting area. The automobile truck in which most of the journey is ordinarily made carries a number of fish planting cans, each of which holds from one thousand to three thousand trout. Since much of the trip frequently is made over smooth highways, the problem of proper aeration of the water is a pertinent one. As long as the small trout lie inactively in the water at the bottom of the cans, a sufficient amount of oxygen is present in the water. Should the trout seek the surface of the water, a danger signal is evident and additional aeration is demanded. This has been accomplished heretofore either by rocking the truck rather violently or by lifting a quantity of water from each can in a special type of container which permits the water to fall back in a number of small streams, the effect in either case being to add oxygen to the water. During the past year, the California Fish and Game Commission has been experimenting with various mechanical devices for aerating the water in fish planting cans. In one experiment, an oxygen tank was used to release oxygen in the water at the bottom of each can. Then someone else experimented with an air pump run in one instance off the fan belt of the truck motor, and in another, by a small electric motor connected with the truck storage battery. Descriptions of these experiments were presented at the Bureau of Fish Conservation Convention held in Sacramento, December 12, 1938, and as an outcome the California Fish and Game Commission has adopted the technique used in the last mentioned experiment. Yosemite Fish Hatchery and Pool California Fish and Game Commission fish planting trucks are now equipped with a small air pump powered by an electric motor connected to the storage battery of the truck. A separate little air hose for each fish planting can leads off from the pump and attached to the end of each hose is a piece of carborundum about one and one-half inches square which serves as a weight to

hold the hose down to the bottom to those whose responsibility it is to of the water and through the pores stock Yosemite streams and lakes of which air is released in many tiny with fish. Thus a definite improvestreams to serve the needs of the ment in fish planting technique has trout during their journey to the been achieved and another link planting area. The Government fish planting strengthened in the chain of activitruck in Yosemite has been similarly ties necessary for keeping Yosemite equipped recently as an assistance a fisherman 's paradise.

CAMERA WALKS

By Ranger-Naturalist Charles W. Schwartz This is the first year the Naturalist Staff has sponsored Camera an emphasis on selection and composition, a view is changed from a Walks in Yosemite. We knew the snap-shot to an artistic photograph. idea had proved very popular in Enthusiasm ran high in these camCrater Lake National Park. They era groups. Many beginners with proved very popular here as shown new cameras were initiated into by the number of visitors participattheir use, intermediate class photoging. The largest number on a camera raphers were stimulated to improve walk was 45, while the smallest was and advanced cameramen com-10. However, the average attendance pared notes on film, developers, pawas around 25. These walks were pers, etc. Since everyone in the scheduled once or twice a week and group had a common interest, this started at different points in the valwas a basis for getting acquainted ley so that more photographic suband many fine friendships were jects could be reached. Because the formed. In fact the groups usually light was different in morning and considered one walk was not afternoon, the same territory could enough and arranged special meetbe covered at these two times with ings a few days later to compare entirely different results. pictures and things they forgot to The object of these walks was not discuss at the previous walk. These to photograph everything in the valfollow-up meetings were advantaley at once, but to study some pareous both to the Naturalist and to ticular subject, for example Half the group as help in photography Dome, and see how many different views were possible, then to study not only consists of advising about these various views and select the composition but analyzing the result ones with the best composition. With with suggestions for improvement.

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