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UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA PUBLICATIONS
ZOOLOGY
WILLIAM EMERSON RITTER
AND
CHARLES ATWOOD KOFOID
EDITORS
VOLUME 5
WITH 34 PLATES
(Contributions from the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology of the University of California)
BERKELEY THE UNIVERSITY PRESS 1908-1910 asoan ins JUN 7 ole \ BS ever tie
ational fuse” uy y
No.
No.
No.
CONTENTS.
PAGE
1. The Biota of the San Bernardino Mountains, by Joseph Grin-
nell. With plates 1-24 0 Introduction: Itinerary 1 Life Zones of the Region, with lists of the plants belonging to each 3 Description of Loealities, with special reference to the faunal com-
plexion of each place: ..2... tees easter cee toto 2 eee en eee eee 7 General Considerations: A discussion relating to bird population and
Ghie aMflmences cin ociefay aa or at ec seen cee ceases eee eee ee cee 22 Some Plants of the Region: A list of important species with notes
on ‘their, distrib wtiomi Sccsecc cece ccerecesne co neseace tee ceeeeee rest capo eee ee 28
The Birds: A list of 139 species found in the region with a detailed record of distribution in each case, extended biographical ac- counts of many species, and critical notes on others —..................... 50
The Mammals: A list of 35 species detected in the region with state- ments of distribution, habits, and measurements of specimens .... 134
The Reptiles: A list of the 20 species observed, with notes on food, abitsy, aM, Wan ge! es secceee cee ca_ cave cnwsenenccanceeseeeteee ene eeeee es Ceeateeeeeee eee 160
2. Birds and Mammals of the 1907 Alexander Expedition to Southeastern Alaska. With plates 25-26, and 4 text-figures ....171-264 Introduction:, By -Jiosep hy Grn eg eee acne sees eee 171 Descriptions of Loealities. By Frank Stephens and Joseph Dixon .... 173 The Birds. By Joseph Grinnell =e L8H The Mammals. By Edmund Heller .... - 245
3. Three New Song Sparrows from California, by Joseph Grin-
. 4. A New Harvest Mouse from Petaluma, California, by Joseph
Dixon. ceccsecincc ce ced icte cheese se ee 271-273
5. A New Cowbird of the Genus Molothrus, with a Note on the Probable Genetic Relationships of the North American Forms, by Joseph Grinnell. With 1 text-figure -.....2.222....0c.-cccceeceeeeoeees 275-281
. 6. Two New Rodents from Nevada, by Walter P. Taylor. With
Plates: 27-29: ccsccescces sccacaccuceegcassceecbeceeo re eee es ercsaetue eae eee oeee ase eerereeeeae 283-302
A Northern Coast Form of the California Gray Fox, by Joseph Dixon. -2scssetecccsseSecheeeeeee ee ee OA cc sac cs ceaeteeeact eee ed Re eee 303-305
PAGE No. 8. Two Heretofore Unnamed Wrens of the Genus Thryomanes, by sMOSe@ pol Grimm ell ys Ses See occa case cana ctc tsa ano nne ees cen sede St enectiere eee secant once 307-309
No. 9. The Savannah Sparrow of the Great Basin, by Joseph Grin- IS) Oe Bi core oe tna RP ee Pe Re 311-316
No. 10. A Second Record of the Spotted Bat (Luderma maculatum) for California, by Joseph Grinnell. With plate 30 ............ 317-320
No. 11. Mammals of the 1908 Alexander Alaska Expedition, with Deseriptions of the Localities visited and Notes on the Flora of the Prince William Sound Region, by Edmund Heller. With
TY EIST aH EB Sea oe Sere ee Nel aaa Ene neon ere pet nece Se 321-360 SUNY T.O CUCL Te eae etc ee ce Mena Sea ares ert Ae eo Pie 321 DELS 29 21 0B eae ee ee a 322 DESC MUP ULOMIS yOkgel0 CALYGIOS perc. ceet aos ncecoeeee shoes eeeseace Cree ee ge ee ene 327 General Account of the Mammals with Description of a new
USM O COTY S) aene eran, RR oe eee n arco creer reretteecceteecercenees 335 A Partial List of the Plants, Chiefly Trees and Shrubs ...................... 349 SIS CUSSTO WO L PDAS TEED Ui se ove es ee es cs oe ce mee Sa ee asec 356
No. 12. Birds of the 1908 Alexander Alaska Expedition, with a Note on the Avifaunal Relationships of the Prince William Sound Distriet, by Joseph Grinnell. With plates 33-34, and 9 text-
LIVERLGHE!S)) Sabet ebet cena eet eee Heese erence ne Pe RE Pace ees PERS AS 361-428 Introduetion 361 Check-list of the Species Observed -........2.:2::2..-s.sccccsccecectesseceennecseeeseceaee 363 General Accounts: Distribution, Biographical Notes, Variation -...... 364
New Subspecies Described:
COMGCHALES COMADETMUSYSNUT OVS sme eee ot ann ene 22 380
LFA GOD USUI ES UTS CULOG GCG: cect sens rea coerce ec oe eee 383
Gere ACY OM CONTUIUG: Fe ease nase op aoe onc nnn Joe = cn cnc ae ne wren Ce 388
DFR OD OLESINDUD CS CONS MO UEC TUES oa se ence ae rae eee eee 390
Passerella iliaca sinwosa ........-..---.----- So eater anne cn Seeee Sewer a: 405
EPENUMESTES OT UT CSCORNUS IU UU Ce amen on nese 2 ects eee Sonwssecstbe cee 414 Composition of the Prince William Sound Avifauna; Discussion of
MSs OVUM Sasser ee ne eee eet sat Schnee laced esbst von ctesen sens eneee ewer 419 Melamismibinwtihe Pndemic Species) <a ena ea ance meee 420
“UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA PUBLICATIONS -
Note.—The University of California Publications are offered ‘in exchange’ fay the ‘publi. cations of learned societies and institutions, universities and libraries. Complete lists of all the publications of the University will be sent upon requesti’ For sample copies, lists of publications or other information, address the Manager of the University Press, Berkeley, California, U.S, A. All matter sent in exchange. should be addressed iS. The Spam ece : Department, University Library, Berkeley, California, U. SAW ; us j S ZOOLOGY.—W. E. Ritter, Editor, Price per volume $3.50. domifivunsh ‘with ‘Voume. It weaty this series contains Contributions from the mri of a Marine rag Biological “Association of San Diego. .- agen Sava (*} : Cited as Univ. Cal. Publ. Zool. ~~ Bet Vol. 1. kh The Hydroida of the Pacific Coast of North America, - Harry, Beal
Torrey. Pp. .1-104; plates 1-11, November, 1902.00.00... °$1.00.~ 2. A Case: of Physiological Polarization in the Ascidian Heart, by. Frank 5% W. Bancroft and C. O. Esterly. Pp. 105-114, April,.1903....0222.0 10 { 3. Embryology and Embryonic Fission in- the Genus Grisia, by Alice Saba Par Robertson. Pp.. 115-156, - plates 12-15. -June, 1903 ..2....0.22 50 4, Correlated Protective Devices. in some California~ giiseicntans bys aes Marion EB. Hubbard. Pp,-157-170, plate 16, »November, 1903........ tone oe
5. Studies. on the Ecology, Morphology and Speciology of the Young of some Enteropneusta of Western North America, by William 5. Ritter Shea te and B. M. Davis. Pp. 171-210, plates 17-19, February, 1904.00.00... 50° ©
6. Regeneration and Non-Sexual Reproduction ‘in Sagartia davisi, hy Se Harry Beal .Torrey and Janet. Ruth ‘Mery. Pp. esisch. ye text-
AieuTes, ; WWiays TOOS ee ee Se re see rd! Se) Ae ae at see ees Meat 7. The Structure and Regeneration of the Poison Glands of Plethodon, by - Sere C. O. Esterly. . Pp.°227-268, plates. 20-23. June, 1904... 0 1,00. > 8. The Distribution of the Sense-organs in Microscolex elegans, ‘by POM Sy F. ‘Bovard. Pp. 268-286, plates 24-25. December, 1904.2.0..02.....4.5 60 9. Some New Tintinnidae from the Plankton of the San Diego Region, : by Charles A. Kofoid. Pp. 287-306, gates 26-28, July, 1905.0... Bs Bice | Index, pp: 307-317. f :
Vol. 2. (Contributions from the ‘Laboratory of the Marine Biological Association ix
of San Diego.) z 5 =)
Introduction. A General Statement of the Ideas and the Present Aims = and Status of the Marine Biological Association of San Diego, by —_ ;
William E. Ritter, Director of the Station. ~Pp. i-xvii. 2 Maps By)
1. The Hydroids of the San Diego Region, by Harry Beal Torrey. Pp. oe |
1-43. .22 text figures. December, 1904. em]
2. The Ctenophores. of the San Diego Region, by Harry Beal Torrey. =
Pp. 45-51, plate 1,, December, 1904. - pa
Nos. 1 ati 2 inte ONES COVEN Src se oars A Ca he besa 60 8. The Pelagic Tunicata of the San Diego Region, excepting the Larvacea, : Sh by William E. Ritter. Pp. 51-112, plates 2-3.- 31 text-figures, Jan- i
Wary, POISE 8 3 Ga eee ee si Oy ca ST oe aM OBEY 4, The Pelagic Copepoda of the San Diego Region, by €:0. Esterly. Pp. i 113-233, 62 text figures. September, 1905 22...ci ck $2 5
5. The Non-encrusting Chilostomatous Bryozoa of the West Coast of North aN America, by Alice Robertson. Pp: 235-322, plates’ 4-16. December, Ett OO ee aa eS I AN ag I eck oa leat colon cans Seo ee BUR du tioete etek comer Nake e
6. Differentiation in Hydroid Colonies and the Problem of Senescence, by Harry Beal Torrey. Pp. 232-332, 4 text-figures.. December, 1905.
7. The Behavior of Corymorpha, by Harry Beal porrey: Pp. 333-340,
5 text-figures: INOS.26 2ANG “7 TMe ONO COV EL acs cra cr oe daa esac at caren hee teu stake a Renan 25
8." Dinoflagellata of the San Diego Region. I. On Heterodinium, a New - Genus of the Peridinidae, by Charles Atwood Kofoid. Pp. 341-368, —.— plates 17-19. “Danuary,: TOG 2225s a Rie saeco canisaen ction cmataeandcngmnstien 25
Index, pp. 369-382,
* Supply limited; sold only with complete volumes.
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA PUBLICATIONS IN
ZOOLOGY Vol. 5, No. 1, pp. 1-170, Pls. 1-24 December 31, 1908
THE BIOTA OF THE SAN BERNARDINO. MOUNTAINS.
BY
JOSEPH GRINNELL.
(Contribution from the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology of the University of California.)
CONTENTS. PAGE Tmo chinahoml iti eras 22ec.-sesce-cncseaeceeesee eee Ber pece coe eis eee ere fal Life Zones of the Region, with lists of the plants belonging to each. os
Description of Localities, with special reference to the faunal complexion
Of each) place 2.22... General Considerations: A discussion relating to bird population and the HOMIE GO Se TNO CLF yay Owed the meee eee nee ete nea oan sence nce Reet Some Plants of the Region: A list of important species with notes on UFlaN hares, (OUASS Spal] oR Moy cles a RS ey Oe ES ee ee eae eee 28 The Birds: A list of 139 species found in the region with a detailed record of distribution in each case, extended biographical ac- counts of many species, and critical notes on others............... 50 The Mammals: A list of 35 species detected in the region with state- ments of distribution, habits, and measurements of specimens....... 134 The Reptiles: A list of the 20 species observed, with notes on food,
laPeowK SL fenaKel WPemAVeYeL ee ee nce ceae Secon eee ees. Ferree een Smet
INTRODUCTION; ITINERARY.
The San Bernardino mountains proper constitute the largest high mountain group in southern California, and inelude the highest peak south of Mt. Whitney. The forested area is more extensive than elsewhere in southern California, and promised a more abundant fauna. Furthermore the isolation of this moun- tain group from any other of approximately similar altitude
2 University of California Publications in Zoology. (Vou-5
afforded an attractive feature. My interest therefore centered in this region, and I earried on investigations with the purpose of ascertaining the composition of its fauna, and the local dis- tribution of the component species.
T was assisted during the season of 1905 by Mr. Joseph Dixon, and during 1906 and 1907, my wife and certain students from Throop Institute were with me at various times and rendered much assistance.
The trend of the San Bernardino mountains is from east to west ; my work was done along a north and south transverse belt from the Pacifie base of the range up over the Santa Ana water- shed, through Bear valley and down on the desert side to Box § springs.
I did not venture west into the Little Bear valley and Deep creek district at all. The accompanying profile and maps in- dicate the region worked, and show the localities referred to in the accounts comprising this report. (See pls. 1, 2.)
The following is a brief outline of my itinerary: In 1905 we entered the region June 10, by the way of Mentone and the lower Santa Ana canon. After working up over the Clarke’s ranch road to Seven Oaks, we pushed on through to the valley of the upper Santa Ana to the mouth of Fish creek, where we main- tained a base camp until July 6. In the interim, San Gorgonio peak, Dry lake, and the cienaga at the head of the South Fork were visited.
From July 6 to 14 the vicinity of Seven Oaks and Foresee creek were worked, and San Bernardino peak visited. We then moved up over the Clarke’s ranch road to Bluff lake, where we collected until July 27. From that date until August 3rd, we camped at Bear lake, then traveled east through Bear valley and around Baldwin lake to Doble, where we stayed until August 9th. From the 9th to the 14th the desert around Cushenbury and Box S springs was worked; August 14th to 17th we spent at Cactus Flat; then went to Doble and across Baldwin lake (then dry) to the north base of Sugarloaf. This loeality was worked until the 24th, when we returned to Doble. On the 25th and 26th, we went past Saragossa springs into Holeomb valley. On August
27th, having returned to Doble, we took final leave of that place
1908] (frinnell—Biota of the San Bernardino Mountains. 3
and returned through Bear valley to Bluff lake, where we re- mained until September 4th, leaving the mountains on that date by the way of the Santa Ana canon.
In 1906, the region was entered June 9th by the Mill creek route to Skinner’s, thence over the Mountain Home trail to Seven Oaks. Base camp was made on the upper Santa Ana at the mouth of the South Fork, and from here, Dollar lake, Dry lake, San Gorgonio peak and Sugar-loaf were visited at different times. On August 6th, my field work for that year ended.
In 1907, I arrived in the region June 13, and again camped on the upper Santa Ana, at the mouth of the South Fork, until July 12, then three miles further down towards Seven Oaks, near the Cedar cabin. Dry lake and San Gorgonio peak were again visited, and I left the mountains for good on August 22. During this season a large share of the time was spent in com- piling the present report.
LIFE ZONES OF THE REGION.
The Lower Sonoran zone, the Upper Sonoran zone, the Tran- sition zone and at least the two lower divisions of the Boreal zone are represented in the San Bernardino mountain region.
The Lower Sonoran occupies the Mojave desert plateau, which bounds the region on the north, and parts of the much lower San Bernardino valley and San Gorgonio pass which lie to the south. Tongues of this zone extend into the foothills on either slope, and islands of it occupy hot pockets at somewhat higher elevations.
The Upper Sonoran covers the largest area of any of the zones, embracing as it does the vast chaparral belt of the Pacific slope as well as the pinon belt of the desert slope. It interdigitates below with the Lower Sonoran and above with the Transition, while islands of it exist in both.
The Transition is next in point of extent, comprising the major part of the considerable forested area. It predominates above the 6500-foot contour, though tongues and islands of Upper Sonoran invade far above this level on both the Pacific and desert slopes. (See pls. 1, 2.)
The Boreal zone occupies the highest parts of the region
4 University of California Publications in Zoology. |Vou-5
largely above the 9000-foot contour. It is far less in extent than any of the others because of the limited area of so great an altitude. A number of Boreal meadows occur as islands, sur- rounded by high Transition, in the vicinity of Bluff lake, 7500 feet altitude, and alone the ridge eastward to Sugarloaf moun- tain. This peak is capped by at least one and one-half square miles of Boreal, mostly on its northern slope. There are no other Boreal areas that I know of north of the valley of the upper Santa Ana. But south of this east-west depression lies the lofty San Bernardino ridge, with San Bernardino peak, 10,600 feet altitude, at the west end, and San Gorgonio peak, 11,485 feet altitude, at the east end. This ridge is covered by fully twenty square miles of the Boreal zone.
As to the divisions of Boreal into Canadian, Hudsonian, and Alpine-Aretice, there are plant representatives of each of these zones, the Canadian being best characterized and of largest ex- tent. But I could not decide upon a single species of animal which could be considered separately characteristic of any one of these Boreal divisions. An upper and a lower division of the Transition zone seemed to me far more easily distinguishable on this mountain group, than Canadian from Hudsonian or the latter from Alpine-Aretic. As intimated above, there are no purely Hudsonian animals. Even the Canadian, as far as animals are concerned, has but very few preponderant representatives. Such as it has are: Lincoln sparrow, Mexican erossbill, Williamson sapsucker (occurs also in high Transition), Clarke nuteracker (is a constant resident on certain ranges of southern California where only Transition-zone plants occur), ashy kinglet (oceurs also in upper Transition), and Microtus mordax bernardinus. A good many others run up from upper or lower Transition through Boreal nearly to the limit of trees. On account of this difficulty of distinguishing the three divisions of the Boreal zone, I here- after consider them as grouped together into simply “‘ Boreal.”’
In the descriptions of localities beyond, I have much more to say as regards the local extent of certain of the zones. The gen- eral subject of zonal distribution has been thoroughly discussed by Merriam in his ‘‘Results of a Biological Survey of Mount Shasta, California’? (North American Fauna No. 16, 1899),
.
= 1908] Grinnell—Biota of the San Bernardino Mountains. 5
and elsewhere, and particularly by Dr. H. M. Hall in his ‘‘ Bo- tanical Survey of San Jacinto Mountain’’ (University of Cali- fornia Publications in Botany, Vol. I, 1902, pp. 1-140). It is therefore unnecessary for me to re-discuss a subject to which I feel I could add no new thoughts. One faetor, however. is es- pecially important with regard to the San Bernardino mountains ; and its results are conspicuous. And that is, the base level to the north is at an altitude of 4000 feet or more, while on the south it is much lower, 1500 to 2500 feet. This results in low zones being carried high up on north-facing slopes of the ranges next to the desert in spite of slope exposure. In fact, the Upper Sonoran (north of Sugarloaf, for imstance) goes to 7500 feet altitude, while in no place that I know of does it extend quite so high as that, on south-facing slopes on the Pacific side of the mountains. In-flowing desert air-currents from the north also seem to be an important factor, possibly explaining certain local extensions of zones. The extreme aridity of the desert side as compared with the moderate humidity of the Pacific side (greatest at the higher elevations) must also be considered as a factor in temperature modification. (See pl. 2.)
In the following list I have included only plants of the most conspicuous kinds, for plants are the best indicators of zones. Throughout the lists of plants, birds, mammals, and reptiles, I have referred to the habitat of species by zones, wherever prac- ticable. I have often ignored the straggling occurrence of a plant or animal in one zone when its characteristic habitat is another
zone.
LOWER SONORAN. Yucca arborescensé Adenostoma fasciculatumy* Populus Fremontit Prosopis juliflorat Briogonum fasciculatum+* Covillea tridentata Grayia spinosat Lycium Anderson Wrightiit Platanus racemosat Ramona polystachyay
~In another zone also. + Pacific slope only or chiefly. + Desert slope only or chiefly.
University of California Publications in Zoology. |Vou-
Upper SONORAN.
Juniperus occeidentalist* Pseudotsuga macrocarpay Pinus Coulteri}
Pinus monophyllat Ephedra viridist
Populus trichocarpay* Salix lasiolepis*
Alnus rhombifoliay* Quercus dumosa
Quercus chrysolepis Eriogonum fasciculatumy* Umbellularia californicay Purshia glandulosat Adenostoma. fasciculatumy* Amelanchier alnifoliat Cercocarpus betulafoliusy
Juniperus occidentalist
Cercocarpus ledifoliust* Prunus fasciculata
Rhus trilobatay Ceanothus divaricatus+ Ceanothus integerrimust Ceanothus perplexans Garrya Veatchi Arctostaphylos manzanita Briodictyon trichocalyx* Monardella lanceolata Salvia carnosa compactay Nicotiana attenuatat Pentstemon ternatusy Artemisia tridentatat* Tetradymia canescenst*
TRANSITION.
*
Abies concolor Libocedrus decurrens+ Pinus ponderosa Pinus Jeffreyt
Pinus Lambertiana; Tilium Parryt+
Populus trichocarpa
+ *
Populus angustifolia Salix Bigelovirt
Sali:
cv lasiolepis*
Alnus rhombifoliay* Castanopsis sempervirens* Quercus californica Urtica holosericea Aquilegia truncata Clematis ligusticifoliay Ribes cereum
Cercocarpus ledifoliust* Rubus parviflorus Fragaria californicat
Y + '
In another zone also. Pacifie slope only or chiefly. Desert slope only or chiefly.
Prunus demissay Amorpha califormecay Linum Lewisiiy Acer glabrumy Ceanothus cordulatus Cornus occidentalis Sarcodes sanguinea Arctostaphylos patula Eriodictyon trichocalyx* Monardella linoides stricta Pedicularis semibarbata Pentstemon Palmeri Pentstemon labrosus Antennaria speciosat Artemisia tridentatat* Chrysothamnus tortifolius Tetradymia canescens * Carduus Drummond acaules- CONS. Solidago californica
1908] Grinnell_—Biota of the San Bernardino Mountains. ff
BOREAL. Pinus Murrayana Viola blanda Pinus flexilis Bryanthus Brewer Veratrum californicum Dodecatheon alpinum Populus (sp.?) Mimulus pilosellus Populus tremuloides Orthocarpus pilosus Castanopsis sempervirens* Pentstemon cwsius Spraguea umbellata Symphoricarpus Parishi Ranunculus oxynotus Hulsea vestita pygmea Draba corrugata Erigeron compositus discoi- Potentilla Wheelert deus
Oxytropis oreophila
DESCRIPTION OF LOCALITIES. Lower Santa ANA CANYON.
The Lower Sonoran zone prevails in the wash below the exit of the Santa Ana river from the foothills near Mentone. And along the lower course of the Santa Ana canon up through the Narrows to the mouth of Bear creek, Lower Sonoran elements remain in evidence, though less and less so, giving way to Upper Sonoran. ‘Sycamores are the most conspicuous trees of the canon bottom, except close along the stream, which is usually overhung with willows or alders. The canon wall is more or less densely clothed with chaparral, including the usual shrubby plants of that belt in southern California. Common breeding birds along the lower Santa Ana, from just below its mouth up through the Narrows, 2500 feet elevation, were: white-throated swift, Costa hummingbird, black-chinned hummingbird, roadrunner, Texas nighthawk, black-chinned sparrow, Bell sparrow, Bullock oriole, Arizona hooded oriole, Anthony towhee, green-backed goldfinch, least vireo, western warbling vireo, lazuli bunting, dotted canon wren, rock wren and sparrow hawk. The Stejneger whip-tailed lizard was very common, as were also the fence lizard and the brown-shouldered lhzard. We found the days, June 11 and 12,
*TIn another zone also.
8 University of California Publications in Zoology. |Vou.>
1905, very hot and glary in the open canon, though the night brought a down-canon breeze of refreshing coolness.
Mountain HOME CANYON.
A much-used route into the San Bernardino mountains is by the way of Redlands, up Mill creek to Skinner’s, and from there up Mountain Home ereek, over the divide, and down into the upper Santa Ana. Where Mountain Home creek joins Mill creek the region is purely Upper Sonoran; but even at Skinner’s (elevation 4000 feet), a few hundred yards from the mouth of the former, Transition elements begin to appear, and as one fol- lows the Mountain Home trail up towards the divide, one after another come into prominenee, while Sonoran species are gradual- ly left behind. The lower part of Mountain Home canon is lined with alders of great height and remarkable straightness and slen- derness. This habit of growth is doubtless a result of the deep- ness of the ecahon, which means protection from the wind and a reaching for the light. Other plants of the lower canon are the bay tree, big-leaf maple, golden oak, and big-cone spruce. <As- sociated with these are such birds as the western tanager, Califor- nia purple fineh, black-chinned hummingbird, Cassin vireo, west- ern flycatcher, California yellow warbler, black-throated gray warbler, western wood pewee, and olive-sided flycatcher. Further up the canon incense cedars begin to appear, and almost simul- taneously Sierra juneos become numerous. Soon yellow pines are met with, and finally, at the head of the canon, around the collection of cabins known as Glen Martin, the woods consist chiefly of black oak, yellow pine, sugar pine, and silver fir. In this open woods, intermixed with some deer-brush and manzanita, a new set of birds are to be seen, as follows: Audubon warbler, mountain chiekadee, blue-fronted jay, Cassin purple finch, slender-billed nuthateh, and Sierra jJuneo. The gray squirrel is a conspicuous mammal. In passing up a graded ascent, such as Mountain Home eanon, especially where moisture conditions are apparently about the same all the way, the approximate zone boundary is impossible to locate even within a mile or more.
The mergence is slow and gradual.
1908] Grinnell_—Biota of the San Bernardino Mountains. 9
SEVEN OAKS.
Seven Oaks is a summer resort on the upper Santa Ana at an elevation of 5000 feet. It is at the north base of San Bernardino peak, on the opposite side of the stream. To the northward rises the ridge separating the upper Santa Ana valley from Bear val- ley. Faunally Seven Oaks is practically on the border between Upper Sonoran and lower Transition. In the immediate vicinity of the group of cabins and tent-houses constituting the resort, the Upper Sonoran elements prevail, as they do even more purely on the south-facing slopes of the valley side to the north. North- facing slopes and ravines, on the contrary, are almost pure lower Transition. In the near neighborhood of Seven Oaks the follow- ing are some of the more conspicuous trees: Coulter pine, yellow pine, big-cone spruce, black oak, golden oak, serub oak, cotton- wood, alder, the latter forming a dense interlacing canopy over most of the stream courses, willows, of at least two species, and Upper Sonoran species of ceanothus and manzanita.
In such an intermediate region, zonally, it is not surprising to find a peculiar association of birds. The following are the more abundant of those I have reason to believe to breed in the neigh- borhood, that is, within a mile, say, of the resort: western robin, western gnateatcher, California bush-tit, western wood pewee, Triall flyeatcher, western warbling vireo, Cassin vireo, violet- ereen swallow, western bluebird, western chipping sparrow, San Diego song sparrow, spurred towhee, California purple finch, hnnet, Bullock oriole, California yellow warbler, black-throated gray warbler, Parkman wren, Nuttall woodpecker, Sierra sap- sucker, San Diego wren, lutescent warbler, black-headed grosbeak, Lawrence goldfinch, blue-fronted jay, and Cooper hawk. Among reptiles, the fence lizard, horned toad, and brown-shouldered liz- ard are common, all being Sonoran species. Wood rats (Neotoma }. mohavensis) are extremely common; and other mammals num- erous in the locality are Peromyscus boylii, ground squirrel, the Merriam chipmunk (Eutamias merriami), Perognathus californi- cus dispar, skunk (Mephitis occidentalis holzneri), fox (Urocyon californicus), gopher (Thomomys altivallis), brown bat (Vesper-
tilio fuscus), and mole (Scapanus latimanus). These lists, it
10 University of California Publications in Zoology. {VoL.9
must be understood, can be easily extended by a short excursion out onto the chaparral-clothed slopes to the westward, where such birds as the Bell sparrow and black-chinned sparrow are plainly in evidence, or by a few thousand feet climb towards San Ber- nardino peak, which would carry one through a Transition set of animals well into the Boreal zone. As to individuals, Seven Oaks is within a region of perhaps as abundant animal life as any locality of like extent in the San Bernardino mountains. Its moist meadows, densely-wooded stream-bottom, and chaparral slopes combine to furnish an abundant shelter and food-source for its large population.
Upper SANTA ANA CANYON.
The upper Santa Ana river flows west through a broad valley, not at all of the character of a true canon, separating the range on the north, of which Sugarloaf is the culminating peak, from the more lofty one on the south, which includes San Bernardino and San Gorgonio peaks. The main stream heads in a broad, nearly level, depression, at 6700 to 7000 feet altitude, known as Big Meadows, and in the space of ten miles down to Seven Oaks makes a descent of 2000 feet, so that the grade is not very steep. The south-facing north wall of this upper course of the Santa Ana is relatively hot and arid, only a few intermittent streams flowing from it; while the shaded south wall is always at least one zone higher at the same level, and is drained by several large and per- manent streams. These in their order of importance are: South Fork, Fish creek, Barton creek, and Lost creek. The first-named stream heads in the great amphitheatre on the northwest side of San Gorgonio peak, where the snowfall is heavy, and where snow- banks last nearly, if not quite, all summer. And this stream carries as much water, especially late in the summer, as all of the others combined. It was along this upper reach of the Santa Ana, and along its tributaries, that I did more work than any- where else, partly because the region is an exceptionally inviting one to the camper, as well as to the naturalist.
The life zones show a decided response to the law of slope ex- posure. The shaded south wall below 9000 feet altitude is almost entirely lower and upper Transition; while the sunny north wall
1908] Grinnell_—Biota of the San Bernardino Mountains. Vl
is chiefly upper Sonoran below an altitude of 7500 feet, save for the immediate bed of the valley, which is Transition in most places. (See pls. 1, 2, 6, 10, 22, 23.)
This Upper Sonoran intrusion along the north wall is char- acterized by the usual chaparral association of plants, as listed elsewhere for the Pacific slope, except that toward its east end the more arid conditions seem to account for an extensive ad- mixture of pinon and service-berry. Such Upper Sonoran birds as the Bell sparrow, black-chinned sparrow, spurred towhee, San Diego wren, pallid wrentit, California jay, California bushtit, and dusky poorwill, were regularly noted there during the breeding season; while among mammals and reptiles the Merriam chip- munk, True white-footed mouse, brown-shouldered lizard, and Blainville horned toad appeared to be characteristic.
Along the bed of the valley and up the north-facing south wall extends an almost continuous though not dense Transition-zone forest. This consists largely of the yellow and Jeffrey pines, with a lesser amount of sugar pine, and, along streams, incense cedar ; while on the most shaded slopes the silver fir prevails. On the benches or flats black oaks are the only deciduous trees present, they being interspersed with conifers. Along the streams cotton- woods of two or three species, alders and willows are abundant. In the dryer open woods, birds are plentiful, especially chicka- dees, nuthatches and woodpeckers. Along shaded streams the rarer Sierra hermit thrush, calliope hummingbird, Townsend soli- taire, and dipper build their nests; while throughout this wooded tract generally the gray flycatcher, western bluebird, Audubon warbler, Cassin purple finch, and many other Transition-zone species are characteristic and abundant. Along streams the Mo- jave wood rat and Rowley white-footed mouse are numerous, and in the higher woods the gray squirrel and San Bernardino chip- munk, the latter almost always above 7500 feet altitude.
The above brief outline gives but a very limited idea of the biotic complexion of the upper Santa Ana valley. The fact that a three hours’ walk from the stream may lead one through three distinct life-zones, each with an almost totally distinct flora and fauna, will give the reader an idea of the great variety of life within a short distance.
12 University of California Publications in Zoology. {Vou
Dry LAKE.
At 9000 feet altitude, situated among the ridges at almost the very base of San Gorgonio peak, and almost due north of it, les Dry lake. It is so called because during dry seasons what water there is seeps away entirely through the loose moraine material composing its basin. But during 1905, 1906, and 1907 the lake has been constantly full, and overflowing most of the time in summer. The outlet ravine leads down into the South fork of the Santa Ana. Within half a mile to the westward is a series of low intersecting moraine-like ridges, of granite blocks and weathered detritus, with intervening basins, though the latter probably never held water because of the porosity of the ground. Over fully a square mile there is no sien of a drainage channel. I am unable to explain these peculiar surface features, except by the action of glaciers. Yet I saw no polished rock surfaces or strize which I should expect to show plainly in a recently glaciated region. Over this broken stretch and around three sides of Dry lake, extends an almost continuous, though not dense, growth of tamarack pine with a scanty undergrowth of chinquapin, though often the forest floor is bare of any vegetation whatever for long stretches. On the remaining side of the lake this Canadian forest is broken by an upper Transition intrusion along the sun-facing slope of the ridge to the northward. Yellow pines, silver firs, and heavy manzanita brush (Arctostaphylos patula) characterize this en- croachment of the lower zone. On the east side of the lake the shore is low and gravelly, with many dead tamaracks, killed by submergence, fallen or standing. This is also the most open and warmest side (next to the water), and insects, alex seum, and eood drinking places make it a point of attraction at some time during the day for most of the birds of the neighborhood. By watehine this meeea, from a place of concealment behind the brushy top of a fallen pine, one ean detect the presence of species which would be far less easy to find in the woods. Birds are not numerous in the tamarack pine forest. The following species were found in the pure Boreal zone of the near vicinity of Dry lake: western chipping sparrow, Mexican erossbill, mountain
chiekadee, Sierra hermit thrush, Townsend solitaire, gray fly-
1908] Grinnell_—Biota of the San Bernardino Mountains. 13}
catcher, slender-billed nuthatch, ashy kinglet, western bluebird, Cassin purple finch, olive-sided flycatcher, calhope hamminebird, golden eagle, Cabanis woodpecker, Williamson sapsucker, Clarke nuteracker, Sierra junco, Audubon warbler, western wood pewee, Pacific nighthawk, and Sierra creeper. In the tongue of Transi- tion on the north side of the lake, there were noted, in addition to many of the above, green-tailed towhees, Stephens fox sparrows, and western robins. The western red-tailed hawk, rock wren, and red-shafted flicker were also noted in the near vicinity, as well as a few other birds undoubtedly out of their breeding range. Among mammals the two chipmunks (Hutamias speciosus and Callospermophilus bernardinus) were abundant; and workings of moles (Scapanus latimanus?) and meadow mice (Microtus mordax bernardinus) were seen. Gophers (Thomomys alti- vallis) were common about the little clenaga on the north bank of the lake. Although snowbanks remained in shady places around the lake until the end of June, we found the days decid- edly warm, and the nights not uncomfortably cool, in fact not nearly so chilly as 3000 feet lower, on the Santa Ana, at the
same season. (See pls. 3a, 7, 9.)
Donuar LAKE.
Dollar lake is a much smaller body of water than Dry lake. As its basin is small and situated at the foot of a steep moun- tain wall, down which talus material is constantly sliding, it looks as though its existence will come to an end before long. Dollar lake is in the right-hand head of the South Fork at 9200 feet altitude, and about two miles in an air line due west of Dry lake. Its faunal surroundings are purely Boreal.
SAN GORGONIO PEAK.
San Gorgonio peak, or as it is more familiarly known in southern California, Graybaeck, is the highest point of the San Bernardino mountains, and in faet, of California south of the Mt. Whitney region in the southern Sierra Nevada. The elevation of San Gorgonio Peak, as given by the U. S. Geological Survey, is 11,485 feet above the sea. From it can be distinguished the San Pedro Martir mountains of Lower California, the San Fran-
14 University of California Publications in Zoology. |VoL-9
cisco mountains of Arizona, Mt. Whitney, and the Pacifie ocean, with a vast area of intervening mountains, valleys, and deserts. The nearer San Jacinto, San Antonio, and Santiago peaks stand out in clear profile, while, of course, only on the clearest days can the more distant points be distinguished. I cannot imagine a more fascinating object lesson in zobgeography than that af- forded by an hour’s survey of this great region spread out around one, especially if he has traversed a good part of it, and can recall the main features of its varying fauna. The immediate crest of San Gorgonio peak is excessively barren—a ridge strewn with granite blocks, some rectangular as if hewn out, others weathered and rounded. Between these rocks is a coarse gravelly soil of the same yellowish gray color as the boulders, so that the crest of the mountain stands out in contrast to the darker tim- bered slopes below; whence its popular name. Most of the snow seems to blow off the top in winter as it falls, so that but few drifts remain long on the top crest; but over the north side, especially in the guleches protected from the sun and wind, vast quantities accumulate, and remain nearly always all through the summer. Strageling up the ridges is a dwindling growth of limber pines, those on the more exposed slopes prostrate and ex- cessively gnarled. There is an approximate timber-line marking the limit of thrifty growth, but even on the very summit, within fifty feet of the stone monument, several limber pines exist among the rocks, though as shrubs only. I do not believe the elevation (11,485 feet) would be above the limit of tree growth, if protee- tion from wind and snowslides were afforded. In other words, I can see little reason for recognizing an alpine-aretie life zone on San Gorgonio peak, unless it be at the margins of the most nearly permanent snowbanks in the northern shaded slideways. I found the following plants on or very close to the summit of San Gor- gonio peak: Hrigeron compositus (blooming July 16); Draba corrugata (blooming June 19 to July 16); Ranunculus oxrynotus (blooming July 16 near the edge of a snowbank on the north side) ; Oxytropis oreophila (in bloom July 16); and Potentilla wheeler’ (in bloom July 16).
But one species of mammal was noted, the yellow-headed chip-
munk (Callospermophilus bernardinus), one of which was seen
1908] Grinnell_—Biota of the San Bernardino Mountains. 15
on the summit, and others among the dwarfed limber pines on the slopes. I hardly think any birds breed on or very near the summit, unless it be the rock wrens. Yet on June 19, 1907, I saw a male Sierra junco perched on the tip of the monument, from which he uttered his song. On two oceasions I could hear from the summit the nasal calls of the Clarke nuterackers, which were feeding among the pines far down the slopes. In July a number of birds were to be seen, wanderers from below, and alto- gether I noted: Audubon warbler, rock wren, golden eagle, Cali- fornia horned lark, and white-throated swift, besides the two species above mentioned. The rapidly rising air currents brought with them an amazing number of insects, especially of the slow- flying sorts such as winged ants and millers, and many of these were to be seen lying benumbed on the snow banks. This cold- storage food supply doubtless accounts for the families of rock wrens, juncos, and horned larks which were seen around the snowbanks in July. (See pls. 8a, 8B, 10.)
Buvurr LAKE.
The ridge separating Bear valley from the valley of the upper Santa Ana is cut off to the west by the deep canon of Bear Creek, which below joins the Santa Ana. The erest of this ridge is broad and rolling, and in its western portion varies from 7500 to 8000 feet in altitude. Bluff lake is a loeality-name applied to the neighborhood of a large meadow at about 7500 feet altitude a little to the north of the crest of the ridge, and about midway between Clarke’s ranch on the south and Bear lake to the north. There is no “‘bluff’’ at Bluff lake, nor is there a ‘‘lake,’’ though at the west end of the big meadow there is a tule-filled pond which is probably the remnant of what was once a small lake. The meadow is used as a pasture, and at the south margin is Thurman’s “‘hotel,’’ which is supplied with good water from a spring. Parts of the big meadow are wet and grown to veratrum and other plants of the upper Transition cienagas. The whole region is very well watered, most of the swales being floored by cienagas; and at the north, towards Bear lake where the slope steepens, numerous small streams have formed shallow ravines. The region is further characterized by rather heavy timber, con-
16 University of California Publications im Zoology. {Vou
sisting of silver fir, and yellow pine, with some sugar pine, tam- arack pine (chiefly around the margins of the meadow), and in- cense cedar (mostly down towards Bear lake). On the top of the ridge to the south there is a dense undergrowth of chinqua- pin, Ceonothus cordulatus and Arctostaphylos patula. This brush also occurs on the little hills and ridges throughout the region. Along the depressions and margining the cienagas are luxuriant erowths of a species of willow. The life-zone of the Bluff lake region is extreme upper Transition, with a large Boreal element around the wettest and most shaded cienagas. Doubtless because of the abundance of water this locality proved to possess a pro- lificaey of animal life scarcely equalled anywhere else in the San Bernardino mountains. The two chipmunks (Hutanuas speciosus and Callospermophilus bernardinus) fairly swarmed over the brushy knolls, as well as in the open woods. The cienagas were overrun by meadow mice (Microtus californicus and M. mordax bernardinus), and shrews (Sorex ornatus) were also doubtless common, though we were able to catch but few. Pocket gophers were common. Among birds the following were some of the more characteristic or abundant’ species, roughly in the order of in- portance in these respects: gray flycatcher, Stephens fox sparrow, Sierra jJuneo, mountain chickadee, Audubon warbler, western robin, Cassin purple finch, western bluebird, Pacific nighthawk, pine siskin, Sierra creeper, Sierra and Williamson sapsuckers, Cabanis and white-headed woodpeckers, green-tailed towhee, Lin- coln sparrow, blue-fronted jay, olive-sided flycatcher, western wood pewee, and western chipping sparrow. Of much less abundance were: ashy kinglet, Townsend solitaire, Sierra hermit thrush, and dwarf flammulated screech owl.
Besides these, there was a large influx of transients and lower zone visitants, which began to appear at least as early as the middle of July. The first of September the bird population was at least 4500 individuals to the square mile, while of the two species of chipmunks there were at least 2000 to the square mile. The Bluff lake region is so nearly level, and therefore easy to traverse, that I cannot recommend a more attractive spot in the mountains for the naturalist. The student of bird ecology or
life histories will find here an excellent field for work. He should
1908] Grinnell—Biota of the San Bernardino Mountains. 17
arrive in the region early in April, though it is then still largely covered with snow, which does not all leave as a usual thing until June Ist, so 1 was told. (See pls. 48, 114, 11s, 12, 14, 17.)
Bear VALLEY.
Bear valley comprises something like 16 square miles of nearly level plateau at from 6750 to 7000 feet altitude. Its trend is east-and-west and it is bordered by ridges 500 to 1500 feet higher. At its east end is the depression occupied by the shallow or often altogether dry Baldwin lake; while its west end is occupied by Bear lake impounded by the artificial Bear valley dain. The lake is some 5144 miles long by a mile or less in width, and empties westward over or through the dam into Bear creek, which in turn flows into the lower Santa Ana. Over half of its area at the east end is so shallow as to be more or less marshy, and this portion is the breeding place of numerous mudhens and American eared grebes, besides a few ducks and perhaps other water birds. Around Bear lake, up Rathbone creek, and on the south side of Baldwin lake, are several thousand acres of pasture land, inter- spersed with large areas of sage brush. The pine forest which clothes the walls of the valley in but few places encroaches on the level floor of the valley. Occasionally the latter is punectu- ated by a solitary western juniper, or yellow pine. Among mam- mals the two chipmunks (Hutamias speciosus and Callospermo- philus bernardinus) were common through the woods and in places down to the shore of the lake. Ground squirrels were numerous on the pastures, and trapping showed the presence of many Sonora white-footed mice in the sage tracts. My visits at Bear lake and through Bear valley were too late in the summer for the determination of the breeding land birds. Considerable numbers of species and individuals were present, but a good many of them were plainly visitants from various directions. (See pls. 5, 18: 44.)
SUGARLOAF (NorTH SIDE).
Sugarloaf, 9842 feet in altitude, is the highest point of the mountains north of the Santa Ana river. It is at the east end of the ridge which separates Bear valley and the depression oc-
cupied in part by Baldwin lake from the valley of the upper
18 University of California Publications in Zoology. |Vou.5
Santa Ana. The north base of Sugarloaf merges into the gentle slope leading down to Baldwin lake, at about 7500 feet altitude. This gentle slope is a typical sage flat. The hills to the east are largely upper Sonoran in spite of the high altitude; for this is on the side influenced by the desert air currents, and shut off from the cooling Pacific breezes. It is a very arid region, too. A small stream gushes out at the upper end of the sage flat, and a cienaga of a few acres relieves the saginess along its course ; but it shortly soaks away. I found only one spring (in August) on the north side of Sugarloaf, in the deepest canon on the east side. There are as many belts of plant life on the north face of Sugarloaf, an altitudinal distance of only 2300 feet, as there are on the north side of San Bernardino peak in 6000 feet. In a mornine’s climb up the former I passed from the sage and pinon (Upper Sonoran), into black oak and yellow pine (Lower Trans- ition) ; then through silver firs (Upper Transition), into the pure tamarack pine woods of the Boreal zone. On the crest of the ridge are a good many limber pines, which might be considered an indication of the middle division of Boreal (Hudsonian). My visit to this interesting region was too late in the season to be at all sure that the birds were in their breeding zones. In fact, they had very evidently moved up and down, and many migrants were also in evidence. On August 22, 1905, in the one hour from 10 to 11 a.m., I hid myself in a willow thicket near the spring at 8500 feet altitude on the north side of Sugarloaf, and took a census of all the birds visiting the spring during that time. Highty-five individuals were noted, representing the fol- lowing species: four red-shafted flickers, two Cabanis woodpeck- ers, one Clarke nutcracker, three blue-fronted jays, two Allen hummingbirds, two Stephens fox sparrows, three green-tailed towhees, twenty-five Sierra juneos, twenty-five Audubon warblers, one slender-billed nuthateh, six mountain chickadees, six Iutes- cent warblers, two Parkman wrens, two golden pileolated war- blers, and one Tolmie warbler.
Towards the north base of the mountain and out on the flat, mixed with the sage, were extensive thickets of service-berry bushes, loaded with ripening fruit. Here birds from all direc-
tions fairly swarmed, and to enumerate them here would be to
1908] Grinnell_—Biota of the San Bernardino Mountains. 19
list nearly everything of the region. Green-tailed and spurred towhees, mountain quail, Cassin purple finches, linnets, and blue- fronted jays were among those of conspicuous abundance. In the black oak and fir belts Eutamias speciosus and Callospermo- philus were abundant; and in the pinon and service-berry, Eutamias merriami. Out on the sage flat Ammospermophilus leucurus and Perodipus agilis formed a curious association of mammals and both at a very high altitude.
DOBLE.
Doble is a deserted mining town just east of Gold mountain and north of Baldwin lake. It is about 6900 feet in altitude, in the sage and pinon Upper Sonoran zone. The antelope chipmunk, Merriam kangaroo rat, and desert jackrabbit show the desert nature of the mammal fauna. Among birds, two species were more abundant in this vicinity than anywhere else we went, the pinon jay and Brewer sparrow. Rock wrens, Say phoebes, Cali- fornia sage sparrows, mourning doves, mountain bluebirds, and linnets were also conspicuous members of its fauna. The region is extremely arid, and the few drinking places, water piped from wells, were the points where the birds of the region were sure to be seen, if hard to find elsewhere.
SARAGOSSA SPRINGS.
Saragossa springs is at an elevation of 7500 feet on the south- west side of Gold mountain. The watershed there is entirely towards the desert, and the region is very arid. It is about on the boundary between Upper Sonoran and Lower Transition. There is a mixture of Jeffrey pine, western juniper, and moun- tain mahogany, with plenty of sage; while on the south sides of the surrounding low ridges the pinon prevails. Desert jack- rabbits and Merriam chipmunks, pigmy nuthatches, western chipping sparrows, Cassin purple finches, Sierra juncos, and Brewer sparrows were some of the most abundant animals ob- served.
20 University of California Publications in Zoology. SVou.9
Honcomsp VALLEY.
Holeomb valley, altitude 7200 to 7500 feet, is very similar in faunal and floral complexion to Bear valley. It is very arid, presenting long stretches of sage, interspersed with considerable yellow and Jeffrey pine. There are two small cienagas, called Upper and Lower Holcomb. On the ridges the pines are mixed with pinon and mountain mahogany. On the north sides of the highest eminences on the south rim of the valley are a few firs. I saw quite a number of chipmunks (Hutamias speciosus) and yellow-headed spermophiles (Callospermophilus bernardinus) im the western part of the valley; but birds were few in both species and numbers. During my visit, August 26, I saw: rock wren, linnet, western bluebird, Audubon warbler, Cassin purple finch,
Sierra juneco, blue-fronted jay, and Cabanis woodpecker.
Cactus Pua.
Cactus Flat is a nearly level pocket on the desert side of the mountains at about 6000 feet elevation. To the south rise the steep slopes leading up to-the erest of the ridge back of Doble, some 1500 feet higher; and to the north it is drained off into the Mojave desert, 2000 feet lower, by two divergent canons, Cush- enbury and Blackhawk. The ‘‘eactus’’ at Cactus Flat is a spe- cies of tree yueea (looking to me quite different from the Yucca arborescens of the desert proper, lower down) which grows in clumps and solitary trees of large size. This is seen conspicu- ously from the road above, as soon as one gets within sight of the flat. The flat itself is much hotter than the surrounding mountain sides, with the result that we find almost an island of desert life (Lower Sonoran) surrounded by Upper Sonoran. The only conifers are the pifon and juniper which grow abundantly on the slopes. In a few shaded canons good-sized golden oaks flourish. The sage (Artemisia tridentata) and serub oak are con- spicuous elements of the flora; and several desert species of plants are found in close company with species of the Pacifie division of their zones. A small ranch, where lives Captain James C. Johnston, for many years a resident of Santa Catalina island,
occupies a small tract on the west side of the flat. The only
.) =
1908] Grinnell—Biota of the San Bernardino Mountains. 2
water at the time of our visit in August had been developed in a ditch cut into a ravine back of the ranch. We found charac- teristic mammals of the vicinity to be: Mojave wood rat, Mer- riam chipmunk, Merriam kangaroo rat, antelope chipmunk, eround squirrel, and Bangs pocket mouse. Birds presumed to have bred in the neighborhood were: rock wren, pallid wrentit, Brewer sparrow, black-throated sparrow, California sage spar- row, Texas nighthawk, California jay, roadrunner, California bushtit, western gnateatcher, linnet, black-chinned sparrow, poor-
will, and Nuttall woodpecker—a peculiar association of Upper and Lower Sonoran species. Besides these, at the time of our
visit, there were a host of transient birds.
CUSHENBURY SPRINGS.
Cushenbury springs is at the north base of the San Bernar- dino mountains and on the southern edge of the Mojave desert. It is located at about 4000 feet altitude, on the upper slope of an alluvial fan which spreads out from the mouth of Cushenbury canon. There are barren foothills on either side, while down to the north some two miles hes a broad desert plain with dry yellow lake beds hemmed in by rocky ranges beyond. Cushenbury springs is in ‘the Lower Sonoran zone, the surrounding desert being sparsely covered by tree yuceas, three species of cactus, ex- tensive areas of the creosote bush, occasional clumps of mesquite, and various spiny shrubs belonging to the Mojave desert flora. The seepage area at the springs proper is rather extensive, there being several acres of meadow, with considerable willow thicket, and a fine large clump of Fremont cottonwoods. A Mr. MeFee, who owns several mining prospects in the adjacent foothills, lives there, and treated us very hospitably. He cultivates an acre or more of ground, which produces abundantly, and the small peach orchard looks thrifty. By all odds the most abundant bird of the surrounding desert was the desert black-throated sparrow. Other characteristic species were: Texas nighthawk, Costa hum- minebird, rock wren, mourning dove, mockingbird, cactus wren, California shrike, and Seott oriole. - Besides these, a great num- ber of transients, and visitors from the nearby Upper Sonoran
22 University of California Publications in Zoology. (Vou. 5
mountain slopes, were noted at this watering place. Among mam- mals we noted the desert jackrabbit, Arizona cottontail, antelope chipmunk, Merriam kangaroo rat, desert wood rat, Arizona grass- hopper mouse, Stephens white-footed mouse, long-tailed pocket mouse, and western bat. The rough-scaled lizard, fence lizard, and pallid rattlesnake were conspicuous reptiles.
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS.
Birp PopuLATION AND Its Mopiryina INFLUENCES.
In the coastal lowlands of southern California a condition manifests itself which has been commented upon several times, but which as far as I am aware has not been explained. I refer to the almost universal exodus in July of many of the birds of the ‘‘summer-vyisitant’’ category, which have bred and raised broods during April, May, and June. Such birds as the Bullock oriole, lazuli bunting, Parkman wren, California yellow warbler, black-headed grosbeak, and many others to a more or less extent, become scarce, or disappear altogether, towards the end of July. Even such ‘“‘resident’’ species as the California bushtit, Cali- fornia jay, black phoebe, Anna hummingbird, and others, are reduced in numbers, although they appear again in early winter. The reason for this early summer exodus seems plain: The months from July to October constitute the winter season at the lower altitudes in southern California as far as food supply is concerned. Everything becomes excessively dry; among plants most annuals have died, and the perennials have ceased active growth; insects become relatively rare, except along watercourses. The May bird population, which is abundant, cannot continue to be supported after this ‘‘winter’’ season sets in, and the result is, they must move elsewhere.
This condition is without a parallel in eastern North Amer- ica; at least I have been unable to find recorded mention of it, if it exists.
But where do our birds go? My three summer’s work in the San Bernardino mountains determined this to my own satisfac-
tion. My field note-book, under date of August 2, 1906, contains
1908] Grinnell—Biota of the San Bernardino Mountains. 23
the following entry: ‘‘Many species which bred far below us are now moving up the mountains. Families of black-headed erosbeaks, bushtits, western gnatcatchers, scores of Parkman wrens, and even a good many linnets, are moving up along the Santa Ana where, a month ago, none of these species were to be seen. The western and Traill flyeatchers have invaded the do- main of the gray flycatcher; and California yellow, lutescent, golden pileolated and black-throated gray warblers are passing in regular migratory fashion, though not necessarily as yet going beyond the confines of the mountains. The great majority of these are birds-of-the-year, many in full first-winter plumage, but some in the midst of moult, or even still in complete juvenal plumage. Black phoebes, all closely enough serutinized being juvenals, have become excessively common along the streams, the first having been seen July 5.
“All this influx of population appears to be mainly due to the conspicuous abundance now of both vegetable and insect food, particularly the latter. Geometrid larve are abundant on the fol®@age of willows and oaks; even the various conifers harbor myriads of lary; and the air teems with gnats, flies, and beetles. Normally seed-eating birds are taking advantage of this supply, and such species as the western chipping sparrow and lazuli bunt- ing are seen carrying larvee to their full-grown but teasing off- spring.
“A special feature of the past three weeks or more has been the influx of numerous hummingbirds (black-chinned, Anna, rufous, and Allen). Those taken have their gullets crammed with gnats and small spiders, and are many of them imeonven- iently fat to make into good skins. <A significant thing has been the bursting into bloom of vast quantities of scarlet pentstemions (P. labrosus and P. bridgesii) at just about the time of the ar- rival of the hummers. Was this merely coincidence, or is it a case of chronological co-adaptation? The structure of these pentstemons seems to show a clear condition of ornithophily, and I have never seen these flowers visited by any sort of insect. The red-plumaged: rufous and Allen hummingbirds, of rapid and erratie flight, harmonize to a surprising degree with the shim- mering patches of scarlet pentstemons.”’
24 University of California Publications in Zoology. (Vou.
All this invasion of the higher altitudes oceurs when spring and summer are just dawning there, but when the foothills and plains below are becoming dry and barren under the July heat, no longer productive of the food-supply which they were in a condition to offer earlier in the season. I believe these relative conditions prevail throughout southern California. Without the mountains to accommodate the excess of bird population, which could not be supported in late summer on the withered lowlands, we would have far fewer birds in the spring. The ‘‘resident’’ species return to the lowlands when the cold begins to reduce the food supply in the mountains; and, what is also noteworthy, so
oc
do the ‘‘summer visitants,’’ which thus become transients for a few days in the fall as they pass back through the lowlands on their way south, or rather, southeastward. These latter, there- fore, undertake three distinct migratory journeys during the year: from their winter habitat northwestward to their spring breeding-place, from the latter up, and often northwards, to their summer feeding-grounds, and from there back down and then southeastward to their winter habitat. e And this brings up for consideration another phase of the subject of bird population and its modifying influences. Con- sidering only the breeding birds of the region, it would be inter- esting to know how many individuals there are in early June, before the population begins to augment any. It is, of course, impossible to get at an exact census enumeration. But I made estimates in different parts of the region, which will furnish an average from which an approximate idea can be obtained. The region under consideration is about 16 by 24 miles in extent, which would make its area 384 square miles. In some parts of this area, as around mountain meadows and along streams, I judged that there were twenty birds of all kinds to the acre; while over larger tracts on the mountain sides and desert slopes there may have been but one bird or even less to the acre. As a very conservative average let us say that there was one pair of breed- ing birds to the acre all over the 384 square miles. That would be 491,520 birds in the region at the time of least bird population (that is, just previous to the appearance of young-of-the-year).
The following are some Transition and Boreal species, with
1908] Grinnell—Biota of the San Bernardino Mountains. 25
very rough estimates of their numbers in the region under con- sideration: golden eagle, 8; Williamson sapsucker, 180; Pacific nighthawk, 360; calliope hummingbird, 360; gray flycatcher, 3760; Clarke nuteracker, 250; Cassin purple finch, 6000; Sierra juneo, 10,000; Stephens “fox sparrow, 680; Cassin vireo, 4480; Audubon warbler, 10,000; American dipper, 24; Sierra creeper, 840: mountain chickadee, 8000; ashy kinglet, 50; Townsend soli- taire, 360; Sierra hermit thrush, 360; western robin, 650: western bluebird, 4000.
Some birds, such as nuthatches and chickadees, raise broods of six young; others, like gray flyeatchers, warblers, fox sparrows, and juneos, raise four young; still others, such as wood pewees, only three; and others like hummingbirds and nighthawks, only two. Takine all this into consideration, and also the accidents and fatalities on the one hand, and the probability of there being two broods in a season with juncos and some other species on the other, I believe a very conservative estimate would place the full- erown young-of-the-year appearing up to the end of the breeding season, at an equal number to the adults. In other words. the population will have at least doubled by the middle of July, when there will therefore be nearly one million birds in the re- gion. Now, if we take into consideration the vast hordes of July invaders from elsewhere, spoken of above, I should consider the population -to have then consisted at the very minimum of two million individual birds. And yet there appeared to be a boun- tiful food supply at all times during the summer, enough to support easily a still larger population. Now what becomes of this population ?
It is almost needless to recall that the aggregate population probably remains constant from year to year. For some species may be increasing, some decreasing, while others remain in a stationary status; and then, of course, the entire population may dwindle below the average during unfavorable years (dry years or when forest fires ravage the region), or it may swell during series of propitious years. But we ean take the average from all this as a maintained constant population. In the area under consideration, take the above estimate as 491,520 breeding birds
at the time of least population, or in round numbers half a mil-
26 University of California Publications in Zoology. |Vou.9
lion. Then, as above shown, at least half a million birds must succumb to various causes before the next breeding season. For if the population remains constant the death rate must equal the birth rate.
The factor that undoubtedly determines the maximum number of birds that can exist seems to me to be food supply. The young are produced at the beginning of the season of plenty, which, as pointed out above, consists of the months of July, August, and September. After this, the cold season rapidly comes on and the food supply suddenly diminishes to a minimum, probably reached at the time of the first snows, say In November. As a result the vast bulk of the bird population, all except the few permanently resident species, emigrate to lower zones for the winter. The numbers of birds, all categories, which can exist throughout the year anywhere must be determined by the amount and availa- bility of food supply at the season of extremest shortage. With permanently resident species, then, such as woodpeckers, nut- crackers, nuthatches, ete., the number we find in June is prac- tically an index of the maximum food-supplying power of the region during the season from November to Mareh. In the ease of breeders which have come to the region only for the summer, their numbers must have been determined by the sustaining power of their winter habitat, wherever that may be.
The intricate system of summer and winter habitats of migra- tory birds I believe to have resulted from a gradual process of elimination of those individuals finding themselves in a region of relative food seareity, and a preservation and perpetuation of those individuals finding themselves in regions of best food con- ditions. Competitive struggle between species has led to the adoption of remote and otherwise unexplainable habitats, tem- porary or constant. It has also led to the development of various and perfected means of food-getting. The geometric ratio of reproduction makes the population of a species an elastic quan- tity, expanding into any favorable food area presenting itself. And the masses of different species press against one another, like soap-bubbles, crowding and jostling, as one species acquires, through modification of food-getting powers und perfected adapt-
ability to other conditions, some advantage over another.
1908] Grinnell—Biota of the San Bernardino Mountains. 27
The vast mortality in even the more slowly reproducing birds is a result of the equally large birth rate which is essential to provide the host of individuals factoring in this process. The phenomena of migration and limited habitats are results, as well as the evolution of new species through geographie variation because of isolation.
To discuss an instance: The Audubon warbler is a common breeding bird of the Transition and Boreal zones of the San Bernardino mountains and other ranges of southern California. It winters in the Upper and Lower Sonoran zones of the nearby lowlands. Now, as far as I could see, during the summer months in the San Bernardino mountains, twice or thrice the Audubon warbler population could have gained a thrifty livmg. The birds became at least doubly numerous from the last of July on, when the families of young came into prominence. When and where does the pinch come which reduces this great augmenta- tion back to normal spring limits?
I have on many occasions from year to year, at Pasadena in December and January, noted a great mortality among Audubon warblers, here, of course, in their winter habitat. This mor- tality occurs in dry cold weather, the dead birds being found in the morning on sidewalks beneath trees, or along hedges where presumably the birds had gone to roost for the night. The gen- eral impression among people is that these birds have been chilled to death in the night from exposure to the frost. But nothing has impressed itself more forcibly on my mind than the conelu- sion that well-fed birds do not die from exposure to cold. I have examined a great many of the dead Audubon warblers, and invariably found them emaciated, with not a trace of fat. This means that they had suecumbed from ill-nourishment because of the scarcity of the food to which they are adapted. The cold may have been the final factor ending the strugele of their im- poverished systems for sustenance. It is a common thing in the late autumn to see these warblers pecking away at withered and even hard-dried apples still clinging to the trees, or feeding on persimmons or belated figs. I haye even found weed seeds in the stomachs of Audubon warblers. All of this shows that as their normal insect «supply wanes past sufficiency, the same
28 University of California Publications in Zoology. |Vou.5
eround being gleaned over again and again, the birds resort to any other possible food source.
A means of tiding over the season of greatest stress (in other words, of raising the number of birds which ean survive) is the storing up of energy during the preceding season of plenty. The majority of Audubon warblers in October and November, when they first appear around Pasadena, are excessively fat, and those taken at Bluff lake the first of September were already very fat.
If the winter mortality of warblers were as great over other similarly wooded areas as it has been at times in my own door- yard in Pasadena, I have figured that in one season there were 1280 deaths within the limits of this city alone. Most of these dead birds are promptly picked up by cats, so that they are not noticeable for long.
We begin to see, then, what becomes of the bulk of the yearly increase. Of course there are other factors, such as enemies amone both birds and mammals: but these I deem of small ae- count (except locally) as a fundamental cause of death; for I thoroughly believe that it is the slowest, least alert bird in sight that is caught by the cat or hawk. And this bird is the one whose vitality is at a low ebb, and this is not liable to be a well-fed bird. There must be much variation in the individual ability of birds to secure an adequate living when food is searee. “And, by the process of natural elimination, it must be that species are be- coming more and more intensely developed in their food-getting ability, along the line of greatest advantage.
SOME PLANTS OF THE REGION.
The observer of animals must familiarize himself to some extent with the flora of the region in which he works. For the distribution and habits of practically all vertebrates, as well as of the lower animals, are so dependent on certain plants which are part of their environment that to pay attention to the ani- mals alone really means a very incomplete understanding of them. Neither should the botanist ignore the fauna of a region.
The list of plants here presented ineludes only a very small
1908] Grinnell—Biota of the San Bernardino Mountains. 29
part of the whole flora of the region. Thesspecies listed were those which came to my attention either because they were food- plants of certain birds or mammals, or because their distribution seemed to coincide with that of certaim animals. It is to the plants that one must turn for the surest indexes of the zonal position of a locality. Though familiar with the appearance of the plants in the field, I know nothing of systematic botany, and must here acknowledge complete dependence upon the informa- tion as to names, given me by specialists in that department. During each of the three seasons I took in specimens of such plants as interested me, and in all some 600 sheets were obtained. Duplicate sets were given to the authorities who named the spe- cies. I am indebted for the determination of species to Miss Alice Eastwood, of the California Academy of Sciences, to Dr. Harvey M. Hall of the University of California, to whom I am also grateful for reading the manuscript of this portion of my report, and to Dr. J. N. Rose, of the United States National
Museum.
Juniperus occidentalis Hooker.
The western Juniper was a common tree in the more arid parts of the region. It occurred sparingly on the upper Santa Ana, and more abundantly around Sugarloaf and the high ridge to the eastward as high as 9500 feet altitude, where very large examples were seen. In Bear valley it was conspicuous, because often isolated on the sage flats. Around Doble and Gold mountain and down the desert slope past Cactus Flat, 6000 feet altitude, it was common. I should consider it a native of arid Upper Sonoran
and Transition. (See pl. 4:.)
Abies concolor (Gordon) Parry.
The white or silver fir was what may be called a typical Upper Transition tree. It was abundant alone the north side of the San Gorgonio-San Bernardino ridge up to 9000 feet altitude on south-facing slopes, and down as low as 5500 feet altitude alone the upper Santa Ana on shaded north slopes. It was an import- ant component of the woods around Bluff lake and all alone the
30 University of California Publications in Zoology. |Vou.5
north-facing slope to the south of Bear valley. I saw a few in some ravines on the north side of Bear valley, and on the south side of Holcomb valley. All around Sugarloaf, especially on the north slope from 8000 to 9000 feet altitude, it was abundant. On the north side of Gold mountain near the top I saw a number of fir trees, a few of which were loaded at their summits with ereen cones, August 26, 1905. In no other place and in no other year did I see this tree fruiting. The largest fir we saw was at Bluff lake; it measured 23 feet in circumference 4 feet above the ground, and 167 feet in height. (See pls. 48, 10, 114, 118.)
Libocedrus decurrens Torrey.
The incense Cedar was a conspicuous conifer along canons and streams on the Pacific side of the mountains from 5000 to 7000 feet altitude. Along upper Mountain Home creek, and along the Santa Ana from Seven Oaks nearly to Big Meadows, and in lower Fish ereek, Lost creek, and South Fork canons it was common. Around Bluff lake and on either side of Bear lake it was less numerous, and I did not note it at all farther toward the desert. This is a Lower Transition species. (See pl. 114.)
Pseudotsuga macrocarpa (Torrey) Mayr.
The big-cone spruce was found only on the Pacific side of the mountains growing on shaded slopes in the Upper Sonoran zone and up into the lower part of the Transition, 2000 to 5700 feet altitude. In all the lower canons it was common, the highest being seen in lower Bear creek canon, along the upper Santa Ana nearly as far as Seven Oaks, and along the north base of San Bernardino peak well up Foresee creek, as high at least as 5700 feet.
Pinus Coulteri Don.
The Coulter or big-cone pine was seen along lower Mill creek, and on dry slopes, often in the chaparral belt (Upper Sonoran), in the vicinity of Clarke’s ranch and Seven Oaks. A few were noted as high as 5600 feet altitude in the Lower Transition zone
near our Cedar Cabin camp on the upper Santa Ana.
1908] Grinnell—Biota of the San Bernardino Mountains. 31
Pinus ponderosa Douglas.
The yellow pine was one of the commonest and most wide- spread trees of the region, on both the Pacific and desert slopes, marking well the Transition zone. I saw it as high as 9000 feet altitude on south-facing slopes such as the south face of Sugar- loaf, and near Dry lake, and on north slopes down as low as 5000 feet. An example on the South Fork of the Santa Ana, near its mouth, was 218 feet in height (average of three tests). The tallest trees elsewhere measured were 175 feet in height or less. (See pls. 38, 17, 18.)
Pinus Jeffreyi Murray.
The Jeffrey or black pine occurred often with the last and seemed to hybridize with it freely ; at least intermediate examples were often noted. Tracts composed exclusively of the form Jeffrey’ were common along the upper Santa Ana, marking the Transition zone. Trees which bore cones heavily in 1906 were entirely barren in 1907. (See pl. 12.)
Pinus Lambertiana Douglas.
Sugar pines always occurred intermixed with other conifers, and in the Transition zone in its upper portion. It was numer- ous along the north base of San Bernardino peak, 6000 to 7800 feet altitude, along the south side of the Santa Ana in many places, in the neighborhood of Bluff lake and between there and Bear lake, and more sparingly on the north slope of Sugarloaf up to 8000 feet.
Pinus monophylla Torrey & Fremont.
The pinon I should call a strictly arid Upper Sonoran spe- cies. It occupied a broad belt on the desert slope of the moun- tains, from 5000 feet altitude up over the ridges on that side to as high as 8000 feet, especially to the eastward of Sugarloaf. A tract extended down the north (south-facing) slope of the upper Santa Ana across the south face of Sugarloaf, at least down to 5700 feet altitude. And I saw quite a number of pifons as low down on the Pacific side as 4600 feet in the brush belt on the sides of the Santa Ana, two or three miles below Seven Oaks. (See pl. 23.)
32 University of California Publications in Zoology. (Vou.
Pinus Murrayana Balfour.
The tamarack or lodge-pole pine marked the lower division of the Boreal zone, and woods consisting of that species alone coy- ered a large part of the highest ridges from San Bernardino peak to the neighborhood of San Gorgonio peak. From an altitude of 8500 feet to 10,000 feet on north slopes and from 9500 to 11,000 feet on south slopes, it was the prevailing tree. On the north face of Sugarloaf from 9000 feet to the summit, 9800 feet, was an extensive tract, and scattering individuals occurred in company with firs and yellow pines around Bluff lake, 7500 feet. A queer misplacement of the species, apparently out of its zone, was the occurrence of small groves on both the north and south shores of Bear lake, 6700 feet altitude. (See pls. 3A, 48, 7.)
Pinus flexilis James.
The limber pine marked a higher division of the Boreal zone than the tamarack pine, and in dwarfed or prostrate form ex- tended to the summits of the highest peaks. On north slopes I saw large well-formed trees down among the tamaracks as low as 9200 feet (near Dry lake). Towards the upper part of San Gorgonio peak and adjacent ridges the limber pine oceurred ex- clusively, and became gnarled and dwarfed in the extreme. Sev- eral examples grow near the monument on the yery summit, 11,485 feet altitude. I saw many limber pines along the ridge from San Bernardino peak eastward, and on the erest of Sugar-
loaf, but not elsewhere. (See pls. 3A, 84, 8B.)
Ephedra viridis Coville.
The desert tea was an abundant shrub on the desert slope of the mountains, as high as a little above Cactus flat, 6000 feet
altitude; also down on the desert around Cushenbury springs.
Lilium Parryi Watson.
This handsome lily is abundant in the shaded canons above the 5500-foot contour south of the Santa Ana. We found it in bloom the last of July in Fish ereek, Lost creek, and South Fork
canons. In the latter it was noted up to 8000 feet altitude.
1908] Grinnell—Biota of the San Bernardino Mountains. 33
Lilium Humboldtii Roezl & Leichtlin.
The tiger lily was blooming in profusion in the upper portion of Mountain Home canon, July 22, 1907.
Calochortus invenustus Greene.
The mariposa lily was blooming abundantly in June along the upper Santa Ana. It occupied open spaces among the pines in the Transition zone, 6000 to 7500 feet altitude.
Veratrum californicum Durand.
The false hellebore was an abundant and conspicuous plant erowing in rank clumps two to five feet tall in the cienagas around Bluff lake at the head of the South fork of the Santa Ana, and Fish ereek, 7400 to 8500 feet altitude. (See pl. 14.)
Yucca brevifolia Engelmann.
The tree yucca was abundant, though not so large as I have seen it farther east near Hesperia, all along the desert base of the mountains. It extended up onto the ridges and alone the canons to as high as Cactus Flat, 6000 feet altitude, a hot pocket in which the yuccas were large and conspicuous over at least fifty acres. (Two other species of yuceas were noted on the desert slope. )
Populus Fremontii Watson.
This Lower Sonoran species of cottonwood formed beautiful bright green groves wherever there were springs at the desert base of the mountains, 3600 to 4300 feet altitude. Cushenbury springs is refreshingly shaded by this tree. I saw several ex- amples below the mouth of Mill ereek at the Pacific base of the mountains, but I am quite sure that they had been purposely planted, as they have been about the town of San Bernardino.
Populus trichocarpa Torrey & Gray.
The black cottonwood was an abundant tree alone the canons of the Pacific slope of the mountains from the foothills up to 6700 feet altitude on the upper Santa Ana. In the vicinity of Seven Oaks, 5000 feet, groves of large cottonwoods are an attrac- tive feature of the river bottom.
34 University of California Publications in Zoology. (Vou.
Populus species (?).
In Fish ereek cation, from 7200 to 8000 feet altitude, there are many cottonwoods which looked to me decidedly different from P. trichocarpa of lower altitudes. The leaves were very much larger and fewer in number, and there was a far greater amount of balsam in the winter buds, so that the unfolding leaves were extremely sticky with it. The air in the vicinity was strongly charged with the characteristic odor, far more so than with trichocarpa. The trunk was larger in proportion to the height of the tree, smooth barked, and mostly green. I am ad- vised by botanists that this is probably but a ‘‘variety’’ of tricho- carpa. If it were a bird or mammal we should call it a sub- species, due, as the characters of the cottonwood evidently show, to difference in temperature, rate of evaporation, ete. I saw similar trees at 8000 feet altitude on the upper South Fork, and at 7600 feet east of Bluff lake.
Populus angustifolia James.
Small groves of the narrow-leaved cottonwood occurred along the valley bottom of the upper Santa Ana, from 6100 feet (one- half mile or so below the mouth of the South Fork), up nearly to Big Meadows, 6600 feet altitude. They were mostly small- sized trees, the largest measured being thirty-five feet in height. I regret very much to say that although I tried each of the three summers, I failed altogether in finding any signs of fruiting.
Populus tremuloides Michaux.
Several groves of the slender aspens of striking appearance grew on the west side of the upper Fish creek canon, north of San Gorgonio peak, at altitudes of 7000 to 7600 feet. This was the only point in the whole region where I saw the species; nor have I ever seen aspens anywhere else in the mountains of south- ern California. (See pl. 13a.)
Salix lasiolepis Bentham.
The arroyo willow was an abundant species along all streams from the southern foothills to the head of the Santa Ana, 6800 feet altitude.
1908] Grinnell—Biota of the San Bernardino Mountains. 3)
Salix Bigelovii Torrey.
This was a conspicuous and easily recognized species, by its peculiar growth in circumscribed clumps, with bare grayish trunks and leafy crowns. The leaves were grayish green and obovate. This willow appears to be wholly confined to the upper half of the Transition zone, and occurred south of the Santa Ana from 6500 feet (sparingly) up to 9000 feet. It grew in pockets on the mountain side, and at the edges of the cienagas. The above determination was made by Dr. J. N. Rose. (See pl. 14.)
Salix lasiandra Bentham.
This willow grew to large trees, a grove of which grew on the upper Santa Ana a mile below the mouth of the South Fork, 6000 feet altitude. I saw black willows elsewhere along the upper Santa Ana, and on Fish ereek at about 6900 feet. (Be- sides the three willows here listed I saw others, but their names are in doubt.)
Alnus rhombifolia Nuttall.
Alders grew luxuriantly along the water-courses of the Pacific slope of the mountains. Hither side of the upper Santa Ana was lined with alders, meeting overhead to form a dense and almost continuous canopy. In deep canons, such as Mountain Home creek, sheltered from the wind, these trees became exceedingly tall and straight. In broad open valleys they were more scrubby. Alders extended up Fish creek, Lost creek, and South Fork canons to about 7500 feet altitude, where they became smaller, and within a short distance disappeared. (See pl. 22.)
Castanopsis sempervirens (Kellogg) Dudley.
The chinquapin was an important brush plant occupying a belt overlapping the Transition and Boreal zones, only the upper margin of the former and the lower division of the latter. South of the Santa Ana all along the lofty San Bernardino ridge, it formed dense but low thickets from 8500 to 10,000 feet altitude. At the latter elevation it was prostrate and more scanty. On the north side of Sugarloaf above 8500 feet it was abundant. as it also was in the vicinity of Bluff lake and eastward. In the
36 University of California Publications in Zoology. [Vou-5
latter neighborhood, on the north-facing slope down toward Bear valley, the chinquapin grew as low as 7000 feet altitude. (See pl 1/25)
Quercus chrysolepis Liebman.
The eolden oak was a conspicuous component of the flora of the upper part of the Upper Sonoran zone, and in places ex- tended up into the Transition mingling with the black oaks and conifers. Along all the cations of the Pacifie slope it was abun- dant, serubby in exposed places, and becoming a large tree in sheltered canons. It was almost as numerous, though looking somewhat different (smaller leaves, ete.), in the pinion belt on the desert side of the mountains. In shaded canons on the north side of Gold mountain and near Cactus Flat I saw large trees like those on the Pacific side of the mountains.
Quercus dumosa Nuttall.
The serub oak was an abundant species characterizing the Upper Sonoran zone, on both the Pacifie and desert slopes, though less conspicuous on the latter. It ran up on south-facing slopes north and east of Seven Oaks to at least 6500 feet altitude. It was seldom that I noted this species in close proximity to any pines excepting pinons. (Other less common forms of oaks were
seen and may have represented distinct species. )
Quercus californica (Torrey) Cooper.
The California black oak was a characteristic Transition zone species in the least arid parts of the region. If such a term be considered in a general sense I should say it thrived best at about middle Transition; at least it did not extend as high as the lower margin of the chinquapin beit. Black oaks were abundant inter- mingling with the pines over the gently sloping mesa bounded on the north by the upper Santa Ana and on the south by the abrupt high San Bernardino ridge. This belt extended from the head of Mountain Home ereek to beyond Fish creek, and from an altitude of as low as 5000 feet on north slopes up to 7500 feet. There was a similar belt alone the ridge south of Bear valley from the vicinity of Bluff lake to the north base of Sugarloaf. And I saw a few black oaks in some ravines on the north side of
3ear lake, and on the north side of Gold mountain.
1908] Grinnell—Biota of the San Bernardino Mountains. 37
Urtica holosericea Nuttall.
Nettles were abundant along streams wherever shaded by the alder canopy. They grew to be five or six feet tall, reaching that height by the middle of August, making it extremely disagree- able for the trout-fisherman. I saw nettles in Fish, Lost, and South Fork canons to 7500 feet altitude.
Eriogonum fasciculatum Bentham.
The wild buckwheat was abundant on hot dry slopes on the Pacific side of the mountains in the Lower and Upper Sonoran zones, not reaching quite the upper limits of the latter zone. The highest that I saw it was on the north side of the upper Santa Ana, at about 6000 feet. (See pl. 6.)
Grayia spinosa (Hooker) Moquin.
An abundant shrub on the desert around Cushenbury springs.
Polygonum bistortoides Pursh. Abundant in small cienagas, around Bluff lake, 7500 feet, where specimens were taken, July 26, 1905. Polygonum amphibium Linnzus.
Growing abundantly in the marshy east end of Bear lake, where large patches were in bloom the first of August, 1905. These pink areas were so bright as to be readily discerned from the summit of Sugarloaf, ten miles away.
Spraguea umbellata Torrey.
Bare open ground, Dry lake, 9000 feet; summit of San Ber-
nardino peak, 10,600 feet; blooming in June and July. Aquilegia truncata Fischer & Meyer.
The columbine was a conspicuous flower throughout the sum- mer along all shaded streams of the Pacifie slope above 5000 feet altitude, and up to 8000 feet on the upper South Fork.
Clematis ligusticifolia Nuttall.
Clematis came into profuse bloom along the upper Santa Ana as high as 6500 feet altitude, by August first. It clambered over
willows and alders.
38 University of California Publications in Zoology. (Vou.
Delphinium gracilentum Greene. A blue larkspur was abundant in the Upper Sonoran and Lower Transition zones along the upper Santa Ana on dryish
slopes, blooming in June.
Ranunculus oxynotus Gray.
This beautiful buttercup was collected at the edge of a snow- bank on a rock slide on the north face of San Gorgonio peak, 10,500 feet, July 16, 1906.
Umbellularia californica (Hooker & Arnott) Nuttall.
The bay tree was observed only in Mountain Home canon at the upper edge of the Upper Sonoran zone. It was not abundant.
Argemone platyceras hispida (Gray) Link & Otto.
This prickly poppy was met with only along the upper Santa Ana on dry open gravel beds, 5000 to 5600 feet altitude, nearly to Big Meadows.
Draba corrugata Watson.
Common in the Upper Transition and Boreal zones; summit San Bernardino peak, summit San Gorgonio peak, Dry lake, Fish ereek, ete., T7000 to 11,480 feet altitude.
Erysimum asperum De Candolle. One of the most abundant and conspicuous flowers through- out the pine woods of the Transition zone, blooming in June and early July. Seen as high as Dry lake, 9000 feet; also down into
Upper Sonoran. Ribes cereum Douglas
Abundant in the upper Transition zone on mountain sides; specimens taken at Dry lake, 9000 feet, and on Sugarloaf, 9500 feet.
Ribes ascendens jasperae EKastwood.
Abundant alone Fish creek, Lost creek, and South Fork, 6500 to 7000 feet altitude; blooming from the middle to the last of
June.
1908] Grinnell—Biota of the San Bernardino Mountains. 39
Platanus racemosa Nuttall.
The sycamore seems to be most thrifty in the Lower Sonoran and lower portion of the Upper Sonoran zones. It was common in the washes at the mouth of Mill ereek and the Santa Ana river canons, and extended up these courses in the open places in dwindling size to 3000 feet altitude.
Purshia glandulosa Curran.
A common shrub in the pinon brush belt around Doble and south to the north base of Sugarloaf up to 7500 feet altitude in the sage tract. Noted only on the desert slope of the mountains.
Adenostoma fasciculatum Hooker & Arnott.
The chamisal was abundant on the foothills of the Pacific _side, extending to as high as 6000 feet altitude on south-facing slopes above Clarke’s ranch, Seven Oaks, and to the east of the latter point some four miles.
Amelanchier alnifolia Nuttall.
The service-berry was abundant at the upper margin of the Upper Sonoran zone, and extended a ways into the Transition. It is most characteristic of the desert slope of the mountains, such as the north base of Sugarloaf and around Gold mountain where its abundant fruits were ripening after the 10th of Aug- ust. I also saw it on the upper Santa Ana down the Pacific slope as low as 5600 feet altitude.
Cercocarpus betulaefolius Hooker.
Abundant in the Upper Sonoran brush belt on the Pacifie slope of the mountains. It was a conspicuous element in the chaparral on the north wall of the upper Santa Ana, as high as 6000 feet altitude. (See pl. 6.)
Cercocarpus ledifolius Nuttall.
The mountain mahogany was a striking and conspicuous fea- ture of a certain area on the desert side of the mountains. It seemed to occupy a belt of high Upper Sonoran and Lower Transition and occurred intermingled with either pinons or
40 University of California Publications in Zoology. (Vou. 5
yellow pines. The high ridges east of Sugarloaf, from 7500 to 9000 feet altitude, were in places covered almost purely with mountain mahogany, some examples being very large. The same plant was abundant around Gold mountain, and the eastern end of Holeomb valley. I saw small groups and solitary trees along the upper Santa Ana down to 6000 feet altitude, though not so thrifty as those farther towards the desert. As an exception, there was a grove of quite large trees in the lower Fish creek canon, 6600 feet altitude. (See pl. 13z.)
Fragaria californica Chamisso & Schlechtendal.
Strawberries were plentiful alone streams in the Transition zone. Beds of large extent were found in Lost creek canon, 6600 feet altitude; also along Fish ereek and South Fork, where ber- ries were ripening from July 15 into August.
Potentilla Wheeleri Watson.
Taken on the summit of San Gorgonio peak, 11,450 feet, July 16, 1906; named by Miss Eastwood.
Rubus parviflorus Nuttall.
The thimbleberry was an abundant plant in damp and shaded canons from the head of Mountain Home canon eastward to the
South Fork of the Santa Ana, 5000 to 8000 feet altitude. Fruits
were ripe in August. *
Rosa californica glabrata Parish.
The wild rose was widely distributed near water up to an altitude of 8000 feet in places. Most conspicuous in dense low thickets along the upper Santa Ana from 6200 to 6700 feet alti- tude; also around a cienaga at the north base of Sugarloaf, 7500 feet.
Prunus demissa (Nuttall) Walpers.
Extensive thickets of the chokecherry were noted in the upper part of the brush belt between lower Bear ereek and Clarke ranch. We found the abundant and agreeable fruit ripening there, September 4, 1905.
1908] Grinnell—Biota of the San Bernardino Mountains. 41
Prunus fasciculata (Torrey) Gray.
The desert almond was abundant at Cactus Flat, 6000 feet, and farther down towards the desert base of the mountains. It was taken in fruit August 17, 1905.
Prosopis juliflora (Swartz) De Candolle.
The mesquite occurred in isolated bushes quite commonly on the desert washes about Cushenbury springs; but no extensive thickets were seen.
Amorpha californica Nuttall.
An abundant bush in the black oak belt (Lower Transition) south of the Santa Ana, from the head of Mountain Home creek to Fish ereek. I saw less thrifty looking shrubs down into the serub oak belt. It bloomed in the latter part of July.
Lupinus albifrons Bentham. Abundant in the Upper Sonoran and lower Transition zones all along the upper Santa Ana, especially among the sage-brush; blooming in June and early July.
Oxytropis oreophila Gray.
A dwarf loco weed taken on the summit of San Gorgonio peak, 11,450 feet, July 16, 1906, is thus determined by Miss East- wood. It was common on the gravel between the granite blocks.
Linum Lewisii Pursh.
This flax was abundant among the pines of the lower Tran- sition zone in the region of the upper Santa Ana, flowering early in June.
Rhus trilobata Nuttall.
Very abundant in parts of the Upper Sonoran brush belt. Its vermillion-hued fruits were so profuse in August on the north wall of the upper Santa Ana, 5500 feet altitude, as to render the clumps of this plant discernible for at least a mile.
42 University of California Publications in Zoology. [Vous
Acer macrophyllum Pursh.
I saw this maple only in the middle portion of Mountain Home ereek canon, where it is not uncommon.
Acer glabrum Torrey.
I saw the Sierra maple as a small tree only on the steep north side of San Bernardino peak in deep dark ravines at about 7000 feet altitude. Identified by Miss Eastwood.
Ceanothus cordulatus Kellogg.
In low dense thickets, mere mats at the higher parts of its range, this buekthorn or buck-brush, was a conspicuous feature of the upper Transition zone, 6500 to 9000 feet, according to slope. Its distribution coincided quite precisely with that of Arctostaphylos patula, though it occurred perhaps a trifle lower. Its white inflorescence came into prominence the latter half of June at higher altitudes, earlier lower down. (See pl. 118.)
Ceanothus divaricatus Nuttall.
This blue-flowered mountain lilae was abundant in the Upper Sonoran brush belt, on south-facing slopes as high as 5700 feet altitude on the north side of the upper Santa Ana. All over the Pacifie foothills this plant was in conspicuous bloom the mid- dle of June. The sticky clusters of berries became an un- pleasant feature of a tramp through the brush belt in August.
Ceanothus integerrimus Hooker & Arnott.
This white-flowered deer-brush was an abundant member of the Upper Sonoran brush belt flora, especially on shaded or moist slopes. Very conspicuous on the north side of the divide at the head of Mountain Home creek, among the big-cone spruces, where it was in conspicuous blossom the middle to the last of June, 1907. I saw this hlae as high as 6600 feet on a sun-facing steep slope on the south fork of the Santa Ana.
Ceanothus perplexans Trelease.
Common in a tongue of the Upper Sonoran brush belt along the south wall of the upper Santa Ana, is high as 6300 feet alti- tude.
1908] Grinnell—Biota of the San Bernardino Mountains. 43
Covillea tridentata (De Candolle) M. Vail.
The creosote bush was the most abundant plant on the desert around Cushenbury springs, 4000 feet, at the desert base of the
mountains. Sphaeralcea ambigua Gray.
This conspicuous red-flowered mallow was blooming commonly during the middle of August on desert-facing slopes; Cactus Flat and Doble up to 7300 feet altitude.
Viola blanda Willdenow.
This small white violet was scattered profusely over the Boreal cienagas at the head of the South Fork of the Santa Ana, 8000 to 8500 feet. It was in bloom the last of June and early July.
Oenothera Hookeri Torrey & Gray. This large yellow evening primrose was abundant in pastures around Seven Oaks, and along the upper Santa Ana to 6200 feet
altitude. Oenothera californica Watson.
This large white evening primrose was abundant in July at the head of Mountain Home ereek and along the upper Santa
Ana in the lower Transition zone.
Cornus occidentalis (Torrey & Gray) Coville.
I saw the dogwood only in Fish creek canon, where it was in bloom along the main stream and its tributaries, 6600 to 7000 feet altitude, June 15 to 30.
Garrya veatchii Kellogg.
The ironwood was common in the Upper Sonoran brush belt, towards its upper margin, but not encroaching upon the Tran- sition zone. It was conspicuous in the chaparral near Seven Oaks and along the north wall of the upper Santa Ana to an elevation of 6000 feet. It was also common on the north side of Gold mountain at about 7000 feet.
44 University of California Publications in Zoology. (VoL.
Sarcodes sanguinea Torrey. The snow plant was abundant throughout the Transition zone, but neither above or below. It was in bloom in early June and had largely disappeared by the first of July.
Arctostaphylos patula Greene.
This species of manzanita was characteristic of the upper half of the Transition zone. It formed dense rather low thickets from 6500 feet, in cool places, up to 9000 feet altitude, south of the Santa Ana, according to slope. Its range overlapped that of the chinquapin above, and around Bluff lake these two brush plants were intimately associated. I also saw this manzanita on the north and south slopes of Sugarloaf.
Arctostaphylos manzanita Parry.
Abundant on the Pacifie slope in the Upper Sonoran zone toward its upper limits and extending in places well into lower Transition. At the head of Mountain Home creek and over the divide toward Seven Oaks, it was blooming profusely June 13, 1907. By August 12 the fruits were full grown. In the vicinity of Seven Oaks, in the scrub oak belt, and up the Santa Ana on the north side to at least 5700 feet, it was conspicuous. (Other manzanitas were noted in the Upper Sonoran zone, but they re- main unidentified. )
Bryanthus Breweri Gray.
The mountain heather was found common and blooming on the north side of San Gorgonio Peak, 9500 to 10,500 feet, July 16; and on San Bernardino peak, 10,600 feet, July 12.
Dodecatheon alpinum Greene.
This shooting star was flowering abundantly on the Boreal meadows at the head of the south fork of the Santa Ana, 7500 to 8500 feet altitude, June 15 to July 15.
Eriodictyon trichocalyx Heller.
This white-flowered yerba santa was abundant in open places along the upper Santa Ana, blooming the latter half of June and
1908] Grinnell—Biota of the San Bernardino Mountains. 45
first half of July. It appeared to occupy only the upper half of the Upper Sonoran and the lower part of the Transition.
Lycium Andersonii Wrightii Gray.
A shrub occurring commonly on the desert around Cushen- bury springs.
Monardella lanceolata Gray.
This pennyroyal was conspicuous in the region of the upper Santa Ana, coming into flower the second week of July. It was most noticeable along the lower edge of Transition, and extended down through Upper Sonoran.
Monardella linoides stricta Parish.
This lavender-flowered pennyroyal was abundant in the upper Transition zone.. I saw it in bloom the middle to the last of August, on the north side of Gold mountain, 7500 feet, the north side of Sugarloaf, 8000 to 8500 feet and south of the upper Santa Ana, 7000 to 8000 feet altitude. Specimens determined by Miss Eastwood.
Mentha canadensis Linnus.
This peppermint was abundant at the edges of cienagas and along streams, blooming in August and September; taken at Bluff Lake and along the upper Santa Ana, 5000 to 7500 feet altitude.
Ramona polystachya (Bentham) Greene.
The white sage was abundant in the Lower Sonoran and lower part of the Upper Sonoran on the Pacific side of the mountains. I saw some very thrifty looking patches near Seven Oaks, 5000 feet, and further east on the north side of the Santa Ana in hot duillside pockets to 6000 feet altitude. (See pl. 6.)
Salvia carnosa compacta Hall.
Abundant in the Upper Sonoran zone on the desert slope of the mountains, as at Cactus Flat, around Doble, ete. I also saw it among the Artemesia tridentata towards the head of the upper Santa Ana down to 5500 feet elevation, but not lower on the Pacifie slope.
46 University of California Publications in Zoology. (Vou.
Nicotiana attenuata Torrey.
The wild tobacco was an abundant door-yard weed at Doble, and along the road down to Cactus Flat. Noted rarely on the upper Santa Ana. It was blooming in August. Identified by Dr. Hall.
Solanum xanti Gray.
This nightshade was abundant in a dwarfed form on the south face of Sugarloaf near the summit, 9500 feet, and about the head of the south fork of the Santa Ana, 7500 to 8500 feet altitude.
Adenostegia rigida Bentham.
Extremely abundant everywhere in dryish open places on both desert and Pacifie slopes; Cactus Flat, Doble, valley of the upper Santa Ana, Upper Sonoran and lower Transition; blooming in August.
Castilleia montana Congdon.
Abundant at edges of semi-wet meadows and near streams, in June; South Fork, Fish ereek, Lost creek, ete., 6200 to 7000 feet.
Castilleia stenantha Gray.
Common in wet meadows near Bluff lake, on the south base of Sugarloaf and along the upper Santa Ana.
Castilleia Martini Abrams.
Abundant in June on dry slopes in the region of the upper Santa Ana, from lower Transition down into Upper Sonoran.
Determined by Miss Eastwood. Mimulus brevipes Bentham. Upper Santa Ana in Upper Sonoran and lower Transition on dryish slopes, blooming the last of June.
Mimulus cardinalis Douglas.
Noted along several canons on the Pacifie slope, the highest
being Fish ereek, at 6600 feet altitude.
1908] Grinnell—Biota of the San Bernardino Mountains. 47
Mimulus nasutus Greene.
Abundant in cienagas at Bluff lake, and on the upper Santa Ana, 6000 to 8000 feet altitude, blooming in July.
Mimulus pilosellus Greene. Blooming abundantly in small cienagas near Bluff lake. Specimens taken July 26, 1905, determined by Miss Eastwood. Orthocarpus pilosus Watson. This species was found only on the summit of Sugarloaf, 9800 feet altitude, where it was collected in bloom, July 11, 1906. Pedicularis semibarbata Gray.
Common throughout the Transition and lower Boreal zones, blooming in June and early July. Taken near the summit of San Bernardino peak, at Dry lake, on Sugarloaf, and along the upper Santa Ana, 6000 to 10,000 feet altitude.
Pentstemon caesius Gray.
Abundant in the lower Boreal zone, blooming in July; Sugar- loaf, 9800 feet; Dry lake, 9000 to 9500 feet; San Bernardino peak, 9000 to 10,000 feet.
Pentstemon Bridgesii Gray.
Fairly common in the region of the upper Santa Ana, where its blossoms appeared the last of July; more common in the arid Transition, as around Gold mountain, where specimens were taken August 26, 1905.
Pentstemon labrosus Hooker.
The scarlet bugler was the most abundant and conspicuous pentstemon in lower Transition and Upper Sonoran zones, where its briliant flowers appeared about the first of July.
Pentstemon Palmeri Gray.
An abundant lower Transition plant in the region of the upper Santa Ana, blooming June 25 to July 15.
48 University of California Publications in Zoology. [Vou.9
Pentstemon ternatus Torrey.
This climbing pentstemon was abundant in the Upper Sonoran brush belt along the upper Santa Ana, at least to 5700 feet alti- tude, where it was in conspicuous blossom in August. I found it also sparingly among the pines and black oaks in the lower Tran- sition zone south of the Santa Ana. ;
Symphoricarpos Parishii Rydberg.
Abundant around Bluff lake, 7500 feet altitude; Dry lake, 9000 feet altitude; and near the summit of Sugarloaf, south slope, 9000 to 9700 feet. Bloomed July 10 to 30. (See pl. 7.)
Achillea lanulosa Nuttall.
The yarrow was abundant on level canon bottoms and edges of meadows everywhere south of Bear valley.
Arnica Bernardina Greene.
Growing abundantly in cienagas about Bluff lake, where it was taken in full flower July 26, 1905.
Antennaria speciosa Nelson.
This plant was noted only in the region of the upper Santa Ana, where I collected it on the south base of Sugarloaf and in the lower Fish creek and South Fork canons, 6300 to 7000 feet altitude. Its bright rose-colored flowers were freshly bloomed July first.
Artemisia dracunculoides Pursh. A tall weed of great abundance along the upper Santa Ana, coming into bloom the first of August.
Artemisia Ludoviciana Nuttall.
An abundant plant in shaded sandy places along the upper Santa Ana and elsewhere. Specimens in full bloom were taken near Bluff lake September 2.
1908] Grinnell—Biota of the San Bernardino Mountains. 49
Artemisia tridentata Nuttall.
The true sage-brush was abundant over the upper levels and slopes facing the desert, but not nearly down to the desert itself. It occupied only the lower Transition and Upper Sonoran zones. Large tracts in Bear and Holeomb valleys were occupied by it almost exclusively. It occurred commonly down the upper Santa Ana, especially along the north wall, to as low as Seven Oaks, 5100 feet altitude. (See pls. 38, 24, 16n.)
Chrysothamnus tortifolius (Gray) Greene.
This shrub was common in sandy washes in the Transition zone both on the desert and Pacific slopes, blooming in August. It was collected in Bear valley and on the upper Santa Ana.
Chrysothamnus nauseosus graveolens (Nuttall) Piper.
The rabbit brush was abundant in sandy washes both on the desert and Pacific slopes. Along the upper Santa Ana it was abundant, as also from Bear lake eastward, mingling with the sage. Named by Dr. Hall.
Tetradymia canescens De Candolle.
Noted commonly in the sage belt, Upper Sonoran and lower Transition, mostly on the desert slopes. It was taken at Big Meadows, head of the Santa Ana, and at Doble; bloomed the last of July.
Carduus Bernardinus Greene.
This tall thistle was abundant in the lower Transition zone, 5000 to 7000 feet altitude, in the region of the upper Santa Ana. Carduus Drummondii acaulescens (Gray) Coville.
The stalkless thistle was common in the region of the upper Santa Ana (Transition zone), growing in grassy, but not very wet, swales. Noted from 6000 to 7000 feet altitude.
Erigeron compositus discoideus Gray.
Collected on gravel among rocks on the summit of San Gor- gonio peak, 11,450 feet, July 16, 1906. Determined by Dr. Hall.
50 University of California Publications in Zoology. (Vou.5
Erigeron divergens Torrey & Gray. An extremely abundant flower in the lower Transition woods
in June. Taken at Bluff lake, and in the region of the upper Santa Ana.
Helenium Bigelovii Gray.
The Bigelow sneezewood was common in the cienagas about Bluff lake, and on the south base of Sugarloaf.
Hulsea vestita pygmaea Gray.
Taken on the summit of San Gorgonio peak, 11,450 feet, July 16, 1906. Determined by Dr. Hall.
Solidago californica Nuttall.
The goldenrod was abundant in the Transition zone about Bluff lake and in the region of the upper Santa Ana, 5500 to 8000 feet. Its earliest blossoms were noted August 5 (1906).
THE BIRDS.
The author of this paper was more interested in the birds than in any other class of animals; hence during each of the three summer’s work more attention was paid to birds, with the result that the bulk of this report pertains to them. Over 1200 birds’ skins (1261, to be exact) were obtained, as well as many nests and eges, and the bulk of these are now a part of the author’s cabinet series. One hundred and thirty-nine species were de- tected in the region, of which specimens were secured of 121 species. Those not secured were mostly such large species as turkey vulture, golden eagle, western red-tailed hawk, and some of the water birds. It is believed that extremely few birds escaped detection. Yet I failed to find several species which probably occur in the region now, or which have occurred there within recent times, namely: pigmy owl, spotted owl, California condor, band-tailed pigeon, and Lewis woodpecker. I refer, of course, to suspected breeding species. Of the 139 species I found in the region, 48 are believed to be permanently resident, 68 summer visitants, and 23 transients only. It is certain that all-
1908] Grinnell_—Biota of the San Bernardino Mountains. 51
year observations would add many more transients, besides a large list of winter visitants.
The ornis of the San Bernardino mountains, in common with that of the other high mountains of southern California, bears closest resemblance to that of the Sierra Nevada of east central California. A tendency toward increase in size of such San Bernardino species as are subject to geographical variation is quite noticeable; so that in certaim cases, such as the hermit thrush and creeper, the San Bernardino birds are somewhat in- termediate in the direction of the Rocky Mountain races. Other species, like the Stephens fox sparrow and gray flycatcher, show large size, but are without parallels in the Rocky Mountain region. With variable birds in the mountain systems of California, there seems to be a general inerease in size from the north towards the south, a reversal of the case on the Atlantic coast.
Colymbus californicus (Heermann). American Eared Grebe.
American eared grebes were met with in only one place, on Bear lake. Here from July 28 to August 3, 1905, adults, and young of various sizes, could be seen or heard on the marshy east end of the lake at almost any hour of the day or night.
One of the most interesting sights on the lake was that of an old grebe swimming about with one and often even two young on her, or his back; for the two parents were equally attentive to their young. The smallest downy young could dive readily for long distances at the approach of danger, and the half grown young were nearly as expert at diving as the adults. These young birds kept up a continual peeping, very similar in sound to that of a young turkey.
Although very young grebes were seen daily swimming about with their parents we did not succeed in finding any nests or eges until the last time we explored the marsh. We finally rowed into a nest among a thick mass of a water plant at the extreme east end of the lake. This plant (Polygonum amphibium) grew in thick mats on the surface of the water, and the patches of pink blossoms harmonized pleasingly with the dark green foliage and blue water. From a distance the lake had the appearance of an old patchwork quilt with pink, green and blue blocks. The nest
52 University of California Publications in Zoology. (Vou. 5 was composed of tules and stems of this water plant. These had been accumulated until the top of the floating mass was three or four inches above the surface of the water. In a slight depres- sion there were four considerably incubated eggs. Four nests were located within an area of 100 square feet, but only two of them contained eges. The eggs were nearly covered by strands of decaying vegetation which the birds had evidently placed there to conceal them. We estimated that there were about 100 pairs of adult grebes on the lake.
Ten adults and ten young were secured and preserved. <A young female, 614 inches long, in full natal plumage (No. 6879, Coll. J. G.) presents the following coloration: Lower surface plain white, becoming dusky along the sides ; upper surface sooty, marked with narrow longitudinal whitish lines; there are seven of these down the back, the medial three being most clearly indi- eated; four rather broader white stripes extend down the back of the neck, and are indicated brokenly over the top of the head; a white line starts back from the middle of the forehead, but divides into two which diverge around the bare pinkish crown spot; there are flecks of dusky along the malar region, but none on the throat; the bill is crossed vertically by two dusky bands, the remainder, including the tip of both mandibles, being horn- color.
The adult with the brightest chestnut on the sides is a male, and one of the females has considerable white in the throat. But I am unable to see any constant sex difference in the plumage of
either adults or young.
Sterna forsteri Nuttall. Forster Tern. Forster terns were seen daily from July 28 to August 2, 1905, flying back and forth over the marshy east end of Bear lake. Four adults were secured, but we obtained no evidence that the
species was breeding; yet this was altogether possible. Hydrochelidon surinamensis (Gmelin). Black Tern. A single individual of this species was seen several times over
the east end of Bear lake, July 30, 1905. It was usually flying in the wake of a company of Forster terns, as they coursed up
1908] Grinnell —Biota of the San Bernardino Mountains. 53
and down the marsh on foraging expeditions. A tern likes com- pany, even if of another species.
Anas platyrhynchos Linneus. Mallard.
A pair of mallards were seen June 12, 1905, in Bear creek near its confluence with the Santa Ana. These were the only ones positively identified, the male being secured. We saw what we felt confident were mallards on Bear lake.
Nettion carolinensis (Gmelin). Green-winged Teal.
A small flock was flushed from a mud hole at Cushenbury springs, August 12, 1905, and a specimen was secured. Several flocks of ducks were seen migrating eastwardly over this place
on about the same date.
Querquedula tyanoptera (Vieillot). Cinnamon Teal. Cinnamon teal were seen on the marshy east end of Bear lake, where an adult male was secured, July 30, 1905, and a brood of
small young seen.
Erismatura jamaicensis (Gmelin). Ruddy Duck.
Several male ruddy ducks were seen on Bear lake, their con- spicuous markings making them readily distinguishable at a long distance. Great numbers of the various species of ducks are said
to visit Bear lake in the fall and spring. Ardea herodias herodias Linnwus. Great Blue Heron.
At the east end of Bear lake, July 30 to August 2, 1905, we saw several times a great blue heron flying up or down the marsh. Butorides virescens anthonyi (Mearns). Anthony Green Heron.
A green heron was seen several times about a pond at Cushen- bury springs, August 10, 1905. It was without doubt a migrant. Nycticorax naevius (Boddert). Black-crowned Night Heron.
One was seen at Bear lake flying up the marsh, July 30, 1905;
‘
and the familiar ‘‘squawk’’ of the bird was heard several times
during the evenings of the few days following.
54 University of California Publications in Zoology. (Vou.5
Fulica americana Gmelin. Mudhen; American Coot.
Mudhens were found to be breeding in considerable numbers on Bear lake, but the species was met with nowhere else. July 28 to August 3, 1905, many families of small young were seen and several nests found in which the eggs were just hatching. One nest near camp contained nine eggs on July 27. Two of them hatched on July 28, and then one or two hatched each day until August 2, when the last one hatched. The young birds left the nest shortly after appearing and swam vigorously about, but keeping near the nest.
The nests were usually built in a kind of tule, and consisted of tules woven together rather firmly so as to form a_ basket-
“shaped nest. There was usually a sort of gangway, composed of tules, leading to the nest; and in the above instance the old coot always entered and left the nest by this route:
Other nests containing eight and ten eggs respectively were found, as well as a set of eleven, which was taken. The eges in the latter set were in various stages of incubation, some being fresh, while in others incubation was variously advanced. In- cubation evidently began about as soon as the first eg@ was laid.
The throat, neek, wings and back of the coots when hatched were covered with crinkled, fuzzy feathers with hair-like ter- minations. These were of a chinese orange shade, brightening to orange vermillion about the head. The terminal portion of the bill was of the same color, except that the extreme tip of the bill was black. These orange-colored feathers stand out beyond the blackish down that covers the body of the young. The head becomes pale in the older youngsters by the colored feathers sep- arating as the bird grows larger, and finally wearing off alto- gether.
A quite significant and interesting fact was noted in that the feet of the young grew far more rapidly in proportion than the rest of their body. A half-grown mudhen has astonishingly large feet, and after observing the ease with which the youngsters swam and dived (apparently just as well as the adults), the relative importance of those members to the early success of the individual seemed plain. The young of a family near camp returned with both parents to the old nest each evening at dusk, but much
oO
oO
1908] Grinnell—Biota of the San Bernardino Mountains.
squabbling and jostling, accompanied by various toots, grunts, and cries, took place before they were all finally settled for the night. The setting coots returned to their nests almost as soon as we left after having disturbed them, but they were not often found on the nest at midday.
We judged that there were about seventy-five pairs of coots breeding on the lake in 1905. Two adults and sixteen young were preserved.
Steganopus tricolor Vieillot. Wilson Phalarope.
Several flocks of from four to twenty individuals were en- countered in the marshy east end of Bear Lake July 28 to August 2, 1905. They were usually discovered swimming lightly among the scattered tules and were rather tame, finally taking flight when closely approached with a faint ‘“‘peet, peet.’’ Of the five specimens preserved, four are evidently birds-of-the-year and I think very lkely were raised in the immediate vicinity. None in the bright chestnut breeding dress were seen, and all those taken were in complete winter plumage.
Himantopus mexicanus (Miiller). Black-necked Stilt.
A large flock, fully twenty-five, were seen on a mud flat at Bear lake, July 30, 1905. Other seattering individuals were seen. A two-thirds grown young was secured, which makes it
seem probable that the species bred there.
Helodromas solitarius cinnamomeus (Brewster). Western Solitary Sandpiper.
One specimen was shot by Joseph Dixon on August 12, 1905, at Cushenbury springs. It was a female in first winter plumage, and evidently a migrant, as it was flying right on with no ap- parent intention of stopping.
Catoptrophorus semipalmatus inornatus (Brewster). Western Willet.
Western willets were quite common at Bear lake July 28 to August 2, 1905. They were very noisy, especially at dusk, flying back and forth overhead with ringing ealls.
The three specimens taken are all apparently birds of the year, and were probably migrants.
56 University of California Publications in Zoology. [Vou
Actitis macularia (Linneus). Spotted Sandpiper.
Several individuals were seen around the shores of Bear lake July 27 to August 2, 1905, and an adult female was secured. I think it probable that the species breeds there, though no young were found.
On July 15, 1906, a pair of spotted sandpipers were discovered on the shores of Dry lake, 9000 feet altitude, at the north base of San Gorgonio peak. The birds on being hunted kept flying out over the water in wide semi-cireles, as is the habit of the species. One was finally shot, and we had to wait patiently for the light breeze to drift it ashore. This proved to be a male in full first winter plumage, and undoubtedly a migrant. The spotted sand- piper was the only kind of water bird met with at Dry lake.
Oxyechus vociferus (Linneus). Killdeer.
Killdeers were abundant alone the muddy shores of the east end of Bear lake, where they had evidently bred. A nearly full- grown young was taken July 28, 1905. A flock was seen near the west end of Baldwin lake, August 27 of the same year.
Oreortyx pictus plumiferus (Gould). Mountain Quail.
The mountain quail was widely distributed on both slopes of the San Bernardino mountains. It ranged from the Upper Sono- ran zone up through Transition. In the upper part of the chap- arral belt on the Pacific side of the mountains it was fairly com- mon: but it was far more so in the pinon belt on the desert side of the range, where in August eoveys of young with their parents were nearly always to be seen about watering places. On the north side of Gold mountain, at Cactus Flat, Doble, and at the north base of Sugarloaf they were abundant. In the latter local- ity they were feeding on service-berries wherever these were obtainable. Several large coveys of half-grown young were en- countered at Cushenbury springs on the desert early in August. A covey of small young and parents were seen at Bluff lake on July 23, and another at Fish ereek on June 17. Along the upper Santa Ana, to Bie Meadows, and on the south face of Sugarloaf, quail were fairly common, especially so the last of July and in
1908] Grinnell—Biota of the San Bernardino Mountains. 57
August, when the large coveys of young began to make their increased numbers noticeable.
No other species of quail were encountered by us anywhere in the region under consideration.
Zenaidura macroura carolinensis (Linneus). Mourning Dove.
Mourning doves were abundant about Bear lake, east through Bear valley, and about Baldwin lake and Doble. At the latter locality they were constantly visiting the few springs, as usual in pairs, both adult and full-grown young. They were also abundant on the desert at Cushenbury springs, to which they kept coming for water. August 11, 1905, I found a nest of this species on the bare desert two miles west of that point. It was located on the eround, between and partially shaded by two small bushes not over a foot high. It was composed of a scanty collection of fine round weed stems which barely separated the newly hatched squabs from the hot ground. The distracted parent tumbled from the nest and lit on a tree yucca near by.
In the higher mountains doves were either wanting or very searee. Several were seen along the upper Santa Ana, some as high as 6500 feet, on the south side of Sugarloaf. But none were observed above the lower Transition zone.
Cathartes aura septentrionalis (Wied). Turkey Vulture.
The turkey vulture does not venture into the highest moun- tains, although cattle are grazed onto the uppermost meadows, and we saw several carcasses which ordinarily prove sufficiently attractive to the vultures. One turkey buzzard was seen circling over the meadow at Bluff lake, 7500 feet. The species was com- mon around Bear lake, and a number were seen around the slaughter pens at Knight’s ranch, about one mile south of Bald- win lake; several were noted at Doble.
None were seen above Transition and the species seems most at home below even that zone.
Accipiter cooperi mexicanus (Swainson). Cooper Hawk.
The Cooper hawk was the bird of prey most frequently met with in the region, extending its range up through the Transition zone. It was common along the Santa Ana, and two nests were
Oo GO
University of California Publications in Zoology. (Vou.
found near Seven Oaks. One nest examined on June 13, 1905, was situated thirty-five feet above the ground in an alder and contained four eges in which incubation was nearly complete. Another nest found on July 9 was thirty feet up in a cottonwood. This contained three nearly full-fledged young, one of which was preserved. This species was also seen at Fish creek, Lost creek, South Fork, Bluff lake, Saragossa springs, Doble, north base of Sugarloaf and Cushenbury springs. At each of the last three locations specimens were obtained. All were in the streaked immature plumage.
An adult female was shot near our South Fork camp, July 8, 1906. It held in its talons half of a freshly-killed ground squir- rel (Otospermophilus beecheyi fishert). It also had about its plumage a strong odor of skunk, and this odor obtrudes itself just as strongly now, a year later, whenever the hawk-skin is handled. On July 16, 1907, on Mountain Home creek, I sur- prised a Cooper hawk in the act of tearing to pieces an adult SJalifornia woodpecker.
Buteo borealis calurus (Cassin). Western Red-tailed Hawk.
Western red-tails were quite common all around Bear lake. Several were seen at Gold mountain and one or two at Bluff lake. On July 12, 1905, a pair of adults and full-grown young were seen toward the head of Foresee creek, on the north side of San Ber- nardino peak, at an elevation of about 7500 feet. A red-tail was seen flying over Clark’s ranch, June 13, 1905. In 1906 and 1907 individuals were repeatedly seen in the canons at the head of the Santa Ana, Fish creek, Lost creek, and South Fork. None were seen above the Transition Zone.
Aquila chrysaétos (Linneus). Golden Eagle.
Golden eagles were seen quite often about the head of the San- ta Ana. Two were seen flying over the summit of Sugarloaf, 9840 feet altitude, July 11, 1906. <A pair were watched for several minutes soaring over San Gorgonio peak, 11,500 feet altitude, June 19, 1907. At Dry lake, 9000 feet, June 15, 1906, I saw a golden eagle attempt to alight on a dead tamarack pine, standing at the margin of the lake. The branch he chose, however, was
1908] Grinnell—Biota of the San Bernardino Mountains. 59
brittle, and his weight sent it crashing to the ground, while the eagle had to flap furiously to regain his balance and resume his flight.
On August 2, 1906, we were making our way up the ridge between Lost creek and the South Fork, when an adult, and almost black, golden eagle alighted, unaware of our presence, on a pine stub not more than fifty yards from us. We kept still and enjoyed a minute’s close view of his majesty. But he was safe as far as our gun was concerned, for we needed no specimens of his size to pack through the mountains!
Falco sparverius sparverius (Linneus). American Sparrow Hawk.
Sparrow hawks were notable for their scarcity in most of the region. We found them noticeably common only around the east end of Bear lake and the west end of Baldwin lake, where many were seen foraging for grasshoppers, August 2 to 4, 1905. One was seen on the south slope of Sugarloaf July 3; and on the Upper Santa Ana, in the vicinity of our South Fork camp, 6200 to 6600 feet altitude, I knew of two families being raised both in 1905 and 1906. The nest-cavities were in tall dead yellow pines. The species was also seen on the lower Santa Ana, June 11, 1905, and an individual was seen on the desert two miles west
of Cushenbury sprines, August 11.
Asio wilsonianus (Lesson). American Long-eared Owl.
The long-eared owl was met with but onee, at Cushenbury springs, 4000 feet altitude, where I ‘‘auxed’’ one as he flew over the willow patch on the evening of August 12, 1905.
Otus flammeola idahoensis (Merriam). Dwarf Flammulated Sereech Owl.
On the evening of July 15, 1905, at Bluff lake, I obtained an adult male specimen of this rare species. During the preceding two evenings we had repeatedly heard a peculiar note, different from that of any other owl we had ever heard. It consisted of a single mellow ‘‘whoot,’’ repeated at regular intervals, some-
thing like the call note of the phainopepla in this respect. These
60 University of California Publications in Zoology. \Vou.5
notes began to be heard at early dusk, by seven o’clock; but on account of their ventriloquial quality gave little clue as to dis- tanee. Although far-reaching the notes proved to have been ut- tered really close at hand. By eareful stalking the point of origin was located in the top of a tall yellow pine 200 yards from camp ; and presently a small bird with a true owl silhouette flew across an open space and lit in the top of a tall tree fully 100 feet from the ground. <A charge of number 7 shot started it down and after a few minutes lodgement, it fell to the ground at my feet, my first and only specimen of the dwarf screech owl, and one of the rarest birds of California.
We had previously heard exactly the same notes at Dry lake, 9000 feet, on the night of June 21. I saw a little owl there by the camp-fire he¢ht, among the tamarack pines. close at hand, but failed to secure it. The specimen obtained is a male in full adult plumage (No. 6730 Coll. J. G.). I submitted it to Mr. H. C. Oberholser of the United States Department of Agriculture, who identified it as nearest to, but not quite, idahoensis. It possibly represents a shghtly differentiated race. I have compared it with two flammulated owls in the collection of Mr. G. Frean Moreom, from the Huachuea mountains, Arizona, and find ex- tremely close similarity. I have no true flammeola, however, for
comparison.
Bubo virginianus pacificus Cassin. Pacific Horned Owl.
Horned owls were frequently heard in July at Bluff lake, and along the upper Santa Ana, below the mouth of the south fork, and at Seven Oaks. The species seemed common at Bear lake, where an adult male specimen (No. 6916, Coll. J. G.) was se- cured by camp-fire heht, July 30, 1905. The stomach of this bird contained three “* Jerusalem crickets’? and two beetles. Else- where this owl was heard at the north base of Sugarloaf and at
Doble. Geococcyx californianus (Lesson). Roadrunner.
Roadrunners were seen only on the northern and southern foothills of the San Bernardino mountains. At Cushenbury springs (4000 feet) and Cactus Flat (6000 feet), on the desert
1908] Grinnell—Biota of the San Bernardino Mountains. 61
side of the mountains, they were common. At the former local- ity one was ‘‘auxed’’ by the collector as he sat at the skinning table. At the mouth of the Santa Ana, near Mentone, two were seen, June 11, 1905. Each was seared from an old cactus wren’s nest, in cholla cactus. As this was 6 a.m., the roadrunners may have been occupying the wrens’ nests during the night as roost- ing places. The species was also seen in the wash at the mouth of Mill creek, August 22, 1907.
Ceryle alcyon (Linneus). Belted Kingfisher.
This bird was seen but twice, on July 30 and August 2, 1905, at Bear lake, where solitary individuals flew along the shore near
our Camp.
Dryobates villosus hyloscopus (Cabanis). Cabanis Woodpecker.
This was the most widely distributed species of woodpecker in the region, occurring throughout the timbered portions, ir- respective of zones. It was common from the Santa Ana Canon to the summit of Sugarloaf, 9800 feet, and nearly to timber line on San Gorgonio peak. On the desert side the species was noted as low as Cactus Flat, 6000 feet, where one was seen in some golden oaks in a ravine, August 16, 1905. On Gold mountain and west through Holcomb valley, in Bear valley and around Bluff lake, and throughout the region at the headwaters of the Santa Ana, the Cabanis woodpecker seldom failed to be heard or seen within a half-hour’s tramp.
The resonant rattling drum identified this species from any other of this region. Near Dry lake, 9000 feet altitude, dead tamarack pines were selected for this purpose, and on June 23, 1905, I listened for many minutes to a remarkable demonstration of this kind. Different branches were tattoed in rapid succession, so that a xylophone-like variety of tones was produced, very im- pressive and far-carrying through the otherwise quiet forest.
Ten specimens of this species were secured. Dryobates scalaris bairdi (Malherbe). Texas Woodpecker.
This species was found only in the vicinity of Cushenbury springs, on the desert at the north base of the mountains. Four specimens were taken there August 10 to 13, 1905, and several
62 University of California Publications in Zoology. [VoL.5
others seen among the cottonwoods surrounding the springs, and among the tree yuceas of the surrounding desert.
Dryobates nuttalli (Gambel). Nuttall Woodpecker.
In June and July of each year, Nuttall woodpeckers were quite common on the upper Santa Ana in the vicinity of Seven Oaks (5000 feet). They were evidently breeding there among the alders and cottonwoods. After the youhg were full grown individuals wandered up along the Santa Ana as far as the south fork and even Fish creek, where examples were seen and taken, August 2 to 4, 1906. This species was encountered in only one other portion of the mountains, on the desert slope at Cactus Flat (6000 feet), where a pair were seen August 17, 1905. These were in golden oaks, a limited tract of which oceur in a ravine on the northeast side of the range. This record station is of interest as being so near the range of D. scalaris bairdi.
Four specimens of the Nuttall woodpecker were obtained.
Xenopicus albolarvatus gravirostris (Grinnell). Southern White-headed Woodpecker.
White-headed woodpeckers were unexpectedly searce in the San Bernardino mountains. In no place were they as numerous as I have found them elsewhere in the mountains of Southern California. They were seen only in the Transition zone, none being observed above the fir belt, and but very few down into pure yellow pine tracts. In the vicinity of Fish ereek, 6500 feet, a few pairs were breeding in June. On July 5, 1905, I found a nesting hole seven feet up in a dead pine stub, which contained four half-fledged young. We did not see the species anywhere higher than about 8000 feet, except on the south slope of Sugar- loaf, where on July 11, 1906, one was seen among the silver firs at about 9000 feet altitude. About Bluff lake they were more common than anywhere else, and a few were seen on the northern slopes of Sugarloaf at about 8000 feet, in August. Youne and adults taken before the fall moult set in were in some eases fear- fully smeared with pitch ventrally. <A full-grown juvenal, taken at Bluff lake, July 25, 1905, is a freak in that it has a patch of white feathers in the normally black belly region. Their food
1908] Grinnell—Biota of the San Bernardino Mountains. 63
seems to consist in summer largely of wood-ants. The five adult specimens possess the relatively large bill of gravirostris, showing unmistakably the existence of this race as separable from that of the Sierras north of Tehachapi.
Sphyrapicus varius daggetti Grinnell. Sierra Sapsucker.
This species was in no place common. Its quiet behavior may have resulted in its being overlooked in some places where it should have been found. It appeared to be restricted to the Transition zone, preferably the lower Transition in the vicinity of water. Several were met with along the upper Santa Ana from two miles below Seven Oaks nearly to Big Meadows, as well as up into the lower Fish creek canon as high as about 7000 feet. One was seen at the upper South Fork cienaga, 8500 feet, June 18, 1907. <A full-grown juvenal was taken a mile or so above Seven Oaks on July 10, 1905; and others in process of moult August 29 and 30, 1905. A family of young and adults were discovered near the north shore of Bear lake July 31, 1905.
The characteristic borings of this species were to be seen plentifully in alders, willows, and young pines and firs. Near Bluff lake a species of willow (Salix bigelovii) grows in good- sized clumps around the numerous cienagas, and these willows seem to offer especial attraction to the sapsuckers. But, curious- ly enough, the attentions of the birds are confined to a single clump in a loeality and not distributed among many. The operations evidently prove fatal in time to the willows, and then perhaps another clump is attacked. The following instance came under my notice, August 30 to September 3, 1905, and through the kindness of Professor H. B. Perkins, of Throop Polytechnic Institute, then stopping at the Bluff lake resort, the accompany- ing photographs were secured. (See pls. 14,15.) The incisions in the bark were generally rectangular, the long axis horizontal, and in vertical rows. These up-and-down rows of incisions often ran together, making vertical grooves ; and sometimes also the rows were so close together as to obliterate the interval, so that the bark was completely gone over a considerable space. The trunk above this zone of attack was always partly or entirely dead. I twice watched the sapsucker at work at these borings, and it seemed to
64 University of California Publications in Zoology. [VoL
me plain that it was the sap which collected in the newest (lowest) perforations which the bird was after, and appeared to sip. This single willow clump, among dozens of other unaffected ones at the end of the cienaga, was rendered conspicuous by all of its upper branches and stalks, above two to four feet from the ground, being dead, with the bark weathered off and the stems left bare and shining. This clump must have been worked upon for at least three years; for on several of the trunks, which were from three to five inches in diameter, there were three zones of borings, the latest one lowest. Just below each of these girdlings was a ring of sprouts. Of what advantage is it to the birds to confine their attention to one clump of willows until it is exhausted ? Of the seven specimens of this sapsucker obtained, four are adults, and these bear out well the characters I originally assigned to this race. As to the availability of the name daggetti, I have recently gone over the whole question again and proven to my own satisfaction that either the names notkensis and flaviventris are pure synonyms of ruber, or else ruber must be thrown out altogether as unidentifiable. In either case daggetti is the name to be reasonably employed for the southern race of the red-
breasted sapsucker.
Sphyrapicus thyroideus (Cassin). Williamson Sapsucker.
The Williamson sapsucker appeared to be restricted to the Canadian zone and upper edge of Transition. We found it only amone the tamarack pines on the slopes and ridges of San Gor- gonio peak, and among the silver firs, tamarack and yellow pines around Bluff lake. In the former locality the species was com- mon for a woodpecker, especially around Dry lake, 9000 feet al- titude, where several nests were found. Tamarack pines were selected as nest trees, usually old ones with the core dead and rotten but with a live shell on the outside. In one found June 22, 1905, there were four holes drilled one above the other about eighteen inches apart, and one of these holes contained three small young and two infertile eves. These eggs were preserved and are pure glossy white, measuring .98 & .67 and .99 & .69 inches. Later on in the same day another nest was found similarly loeated
containing four half-fledged young. A nest with half-erown
1908] Grinnell —Biota of the San Bernardino Mountains. 65
young was found in the same locality, June 14, 1906; and on June 26 of the same year a nest twenty feet up in a half-dead tamarack held five two-thirds-grown young and one rotten egg. So that a full set of eggs probably varies from four to six in num- ber. On June 18, 1907, a nest with small young was located ten feet up in an exceptionally large nearly dead tamarack pine. This was one of the lowest of a series of forty-seven well-formed holes of similar external appearance, which penetrated this one tree trunk on all sides up to an estimated height of thirty-five feet. Besides these there were many smaller drillings. When once selected by sapsuckers a tree is surely doomed. But there is probably no more than one tree in five hundred that is ap- propriated by the birds. We usually located the nests by watch- ing the movements of the parent birds, which flew from their foraging places, often far distant, direct to the nest tree. The young uttered a whinnying chorus of cries when fed, and the adults, though generally very quiet, had a not loud explosive ery, more like the distant squall of a red-tailed hawk. The bill and throat of an adult male, shot as it was approaching a nest, was crammed with large wood ants, not the kind, however, that are common at lower altitudes and smell so foully.
Many grills of borings were seen in the bark of yellow pines and firs at Bluff lake which I aseribed to this species. Full- grown juvenals were secured at Bluff lake July 15 and 17, 1905. An adult male, taken August 30, was just completing the fall moult. A female taken September 2 was in complete new plumage. ‘Twelve specimens of this woodpecker were secured.
Melanerpes formicivorus bairdi Ridgway. California Woodpecker.
This species was seen in only two localities; near Seven Oaks, where in June and July a few individuals were noted among some tall yellow pines in a ravine a mile to the northward; and at the head of Mountain Home canon around Glen Martin, 6300 feet, where two were seen June 10, 1906, and in July, 1907. At the latter place the characteristic borings of this species were con- spicuous on the trunks of yellow pines and black oaks. At Seven Oaks, June 24, 1906, we had been watching a Sierra sapsucker
66 University of California Publications in Zoology. (Vou.5
industriously running a line of bark-pits around the branch of an alder, when a California woodpecker, which we will presume had been watching operations from his perch on a tall dead pine across the ravine, flew down and drove off the sapsucker; the for- mer then went the rounds of the borings himself, ‘‘dipping”’ from each! © .
Colaptes cafer collaris (Vigors). Red-shafted Flicker.
Flickers were found in the region but sparingly, as compared with their usual abundance in other parts of the country. At 8500 feet elevation on the upper South Fork of the Santa Ana, a nest was found 78 feet up in a dead yellow pine. The bird visited it regularly, giving three notes each time to announce his coming, sounding like ‘‘claip;’’ then he inserted his head into the hole and ‘‘pumped”’ three times, evidently delivering a con- signment of ants. Oceasional flickers were noted throughout the black oak belt from Fish Creek to Foresee creek. One was seen at Dry lake, 9000 feet, June 22, 1905. Flickers were noted around Bluff lake, a few around Bear lake and several on the north side of Sugarloaf. A specimen which was taken at a spring at Cactus Flat, August 17, 1905, smelt very pungently of a kind of strong-smelling ant, usually altogether passed over by birds.
Phalaenoptilus nuttalli californicus Ridgway. Dusky Poor-will.
Poor-wills were heard along the road, 4500 feet altitude, below Clark’s ranch on the evening of June 12, 1905. Later in the month others were heard in the vicinity of our camp at Fish creek, 6500 feet, where a tongue of pifons extend along the south-facing canon-side. They were not seen again until we reached Doble, August 5 to 6, where they proved common, and two specimens were secured. On the evening of August 22 we secured a pair at the edge of the sage flat at the north base of Sugarloaf at 7500 feet altitude. The specimens taken are all in juvenal plumage. One of these, taken August 22, shows many feathers of the full adult plumage in the throat and breast. The juvenal plumage is characterized by having the throat patch buff and the back conspicuously mixed with cinnamon-rufus.
1908] Grinnell—Biota of the San Bernardino Mountains. 67
Chordeiles virginianus hesperis Grinnell. Pacifie Nighthawk.
The Pacific nighthawk proved to be a common species of the Boreal and upper Transition zones. During their evening insect hunts we noticed the birds flying overhead down even onto Upper Sonoran grounds.
We first noticed this nighthawk on the evening of June 12, 1905, flying above the road below Clark’s ranch, about 4500 feet altitude. The species was recognized by its unmistakable nasal ““neé-ark,’’ which is very different from the note of the Texas nighthawk. On June 18, of the same year, as I was ascending a northern spur of San Gorgonio peak, at about 9000 feet alti- tude, I flushed a female nighthawk from her two eggs. These were laid on the bare ground in an open place among the pines. Nothing but a few pine needles separated them from the granite gravel. The female bird tumbled away down the mountain side and disappeared; but the male bird made his appearance and flew about overhead uttering the usual nasal rasping note and occasionally diving down, and giving the peculiar ‘‘ whoof’’ which is described of the eastern bird. These eggs were fresh, and are somewhat smaller and much paler than those of the race virgin- wanus, from the Atlantie coast. They measure 1.18 < .83 and 1.10 X .85 inches, and are considerably paler than the palest of the six specimens figured in Bendire’s ‘‘Life Histories of North American Birds,’’ Vol. II, Plate III. The abundant pale lav- ender markings are scarcely obscured by the sparser markings of pale brown.
Another bird was flushed from a single egg on June 27, 1905. It was on a trail on a ridge near the south fork of the Santa Ana at about 7500 feet elevation. This single ege was slightly in- cubated and measured 1.17 & .85 inches. It is of the pale type, but very slightly darker than the first set; the brown markings are somewhat more numerous.
We noted nighthawks in the evening on each visit to Dry lake at the north base of San Gorgonio peak. Along the Santa Ana below Fish creek many nighthawks came in the evening from the higher ridges to feed on the abundant insect life. A specimen shot at dusk, July 4, 1906, was skinned at 11 o0’clock the next day. The capacious throat and gullet were found to be crammed with
68 University of California Publications in Zoology. (Vou. 5
large winged white ants. By actual count there were forty-three of these and many of them were still alive, although it was at least fifteen hours since they had been captured by the nighthawk.
At Bluff lake in July large numbers of nighthawks made their appearance over the extensive meadow just after sundown, and it was here that we obtained the majority of the series of seventeen specimens secured. Male birds were seen or heard flying about above the pines at almost any hour of the day. A few individuals were discovered roosting lengthwise on pine branches. Night- hawks of this species also appeared in the evening over Bear lake. They were not noted however further on the desert side of the mountains than Baldwin lake, where one was heard on the eyen- ing of August 8, 1905. At the cienaga at the north base of Sugarloaf nighthawks were common, August 19 to 22 of the same season. On the morning of August 20 at 7 o’clock I saw twenty- six nighthawks flying east in a seattering flock high overhead. This was doubtless a migratory movement, for none were seen anywhere in the mountains after August 23, when I took a full- grown juvenal at the same place. August 28 to September 3, where nighthawks had previously been so plentiful around Bluff lake, we saw none.
The new race hesperis described by me in The Condor (Vol. VII, Nov. 1905, p. 170) was based on my San Bernardino moun- tain series of skins. The type was shot at Bear lake, July 30, 1905. As previously intimated in. the original description, I feel confident that this is the race occurring all along the Pacific coast region, from the San Bernardino mountains, through the Sierra Nevada to Oregon and Washington.
Chordeiles acutipennis texensis (Liaawrence). Texas Nighthawk.
The Texas nighthawk was common in the wash at the mouth of the Santa Ana Canon near Mentone, June 11, 1905. At Cush- enbury springs, 4000 feet altitude, August 9 to 14, the species was also numerous and two adults were taken. One of them con- tained in its stomach four of the immense seyven-lined June beetles. At Cactus Flat, 6000 feet, a pair was seen on the even- ing of August 16, and an adult male secured. Finally a specimen
1908] Grinnell—Biota of the San Bernardino Mountains. 69
was taken at the north base of Sugarloaf, 7500 feet, August 20. Nighthawks were seen flying over Doble early in August, which were thought to have been this species.
The Texas nighthawk is a characteristic breeding bird of the Lower Sonoran zone, but like several other species of the same zone wanders up even into Transition during the late summer.
Cypseloides niger borealis (Kennerly). Black Swift.
On the afternoon of July 16, 1906, I saw two black swifts flying down the Santa Ana, over our South Fork camp. There was a brisk up-the-canon wind at the time, and the birds beat back and forth against it, advancing rather slowly. Their large size, and uniformly black color, glancing silvery in certain posi- tions of the wings, made identification unmistakable. The next day one of these, or possibly another bird, was plainly seen sim- ilarly beating down the valley.
Under precisely similar conditions in 1907, I saw three black swifts in the same locality, July 5. And on July 7 I saw pos- sibly the same three fly past the cienaga on the south face of Sugarloaf, 6700 feet altitude.
Aéronautes melanoleucus (Baird). White-throated Swift.
The white-throated swift was abundant along the lower Santa Ana canon June 11 and 12, 1905, and many colonies were nesting in the precipitous rocky sides of the cahon. Birds were frequent- ly seen to enter crevices. Most of these were inaccessible; but one nest was discovered by Joseph Dixon though the eges could not be secured. The nest was in a crack about two inches wide at the outlet but narrowing back inside to only about 114 inches near the nest, except at the bottom of the crevice which was weathered considerably wider, forming a small cavity. The nest was placed on the floor of the cavity and rested on the gravel which composed the bottom. The nest was about three feet from the outer face of the rock. It could not be seen until one had shaded his eyes for a minute or two so as to become accustomed to the dim light. The nest was a shallow saucer, we judged about four inches across. It was composed of a soft felt-like substance
70 University of California Publications in Zoology. [Vou-5
loosely put together. There were three eggs in plain view and it seemed as though there would be room for two more out of sight. One egg was finally secured by the aid of a tin teaspoon and a long piece of telephone wire; but the operation resulted in badly denting the egg. It was pure white and was fresh at this date, June 12. This nest crevice was about twenty feet above the stream-bed in a wall of broken granite slabs. There were doubt- less other nests near by, but probably fully as inaccessible.
White-throated swifts were seen elsewhere in the San Ber- nardino mountains always flying overhead. I saw a pair on June 18, 1905, over the summit of San Gorgonio peak, 11,500 feet al- titude. They were also seen on Fish creek, Mill creek, and at Bluff lake. At Cushenbury springs on August 14, 1905, several of these swifts were seen. One taken was in perfect newly ac- quired plumage. Five skins in all were secured.
Trochilus alexandri Bourcier & Mulsant.
Black-chinned Hummingbird.
This hummingbird was common in June in the lower foothill canons on the Pacific side of the mountains. It was nesting in the lower Santa Ana canon at least as far up as the Narrows, and along Mill creek up to the mouth of Mountain Home ereek. At the latter point a nest was seen June 9, 1906, on an alder bough overhanging the stream within a few feet of the dining-room at THarvey’s.
The black-chinned hummingbird was thus an upper Sonoran species, as it was not observed higher in the mountains until the last of July, when the general scatter-movement begins. At Bluff lake, 7500 feet altitude, a juvenal was taken July 23, 1905. On the upper Santa Ana, near the mouth of the south fork, an adult male was taken July 31, 1906; and others were seen near our Cedar Cabin camp during August. At Cushenbury springs, on the desert side of the mountains, the species was identified August 11, 1905; and it was common at Cactus Flat, August 15 to 17, where young males in process of moult were secured. Several were noted at the north base of Sugarloaf, August 20. Nine
specimens of this hummingbird were secured.
»
1908] Grinnell_—Biota of the San Bernardino Mountains. 71
Calypte costae (Bourcier). Costa Hummingbird.
The Costa hummingbird was a common species along the Pa- cifie base of the mountains in June, 1905. Along the lower course of the Santa Ana as far up as the Narrows, about 2500 feet alti- tude, the species was numerous, and three nests were found June 11. These were all above the road on the canon side, two on twigs of bushes and one in a sycamore. The latter contained two fresh eggs.
A number of this species were seen, and a specimen secured, August 10 to 13, at Cushenbury springs, at the desert base of the mountains. Four examples of this species were obtained in the region.
Calypte anna (Lesson). Anna Hummingbird.
The Anna hummingbird was common in the Upper Sonoran chaparral belt and lower canons in June and July. It was seen, and an adult male secured, in the lower Bear ereek canon, June 12, 1905, and it was noted commonly on the brushy slopes above, up to Clark’s ranch, about 5000 feet elevation, both on this date and September 4. The species was noted at, and down the Santa Ana from, Seven Oaks, in June, 1907. On the twenty-first I found a nest, with the female sitting, in an alder near Ball’s ranch.
Later in the summer this hummingbird became spread broad- cast throughout almost all altitudes. It was first seen out of its breeding zone July 2 (1907), when a full grown juvenal poised for a moment in front of a red sweater at our South Fork camp, on the upper Santa Ana. It was taken August 14, 1905, at Cushenbury springs; at Cactus Flat, August 16; at the north base of Sugarloaf, August 21; and at Bluff lake, August 31. Six examples were preserved.
Selasphorus alleni Henshaw. Allen Hummingbird.
Selasphorus rufus (Gmelin). Rufus Hummingbird. Owing to the impossibility of distinguishing at a distance adult females and young of Selasphorus alleni and S. rufus, I will have to group the field observations on the two species, except where specimens were secured. Adult males were extremely
72 University of California Publications in Zoology. [Vou.5
searee, and even when seen a chance was seldom given to take note of the color of the dorsum. I took eighteen specimens of the two species, all adult females and immatures. I have as- sorted these into twelve skins of alleni and six of rufus, though with the immature birds positive identification is difficult, and I am uncertain in two or three of the cases. If the proportion of specimens taken is any criterion, then allen: is much the more common of the two. At any rate, I am confident that neither species breeds anywhere in the region which I explored; both oceur as transients, though tarrying perhaps two months in sum- mer during the season of abundant flowers and plentiful insect food. This is at a season when the earlier spring of lower al- titudes has given way to the dry and barren summer, compelling the birds to move into more productive zones, wherever these may be reached.
The earliest (of either or both species) seen in the region were two observed about flowering gooseberry bushes, June 28, 1905, near the head of the south fork of the Santa Ana, 8500 feet al- titude. In 1906 the first was noted at about 9000 feet altitude on Sugarloaf, July 11. This was an adult male rufus, sipping at castillejas; its back was plainly seen to be uniform bright rufous. In 1907 the first Selasphorus seen, species indeterminable, was at our South Fork camp on the upper Santa Ana, July 5. By the middle of July and on through August, Selasphori were com- mon almost everywhere we went. They were numerous in the vicinity of Bluff lake, July 16 to 26; and again August 29 a few were seen there. The species were well represented at Cushen- bury springs, August 10 to 14; and at Cactus Flat August 15 to 17. On the north side of Sugarloaf, August 22, two were seen at about 8500 feet altitude, and several were noted August 26, on the north side of Gold mountain, 7500 feet altitude.
Stellula calliope (Gould). Calliope Hummingbird.
This, the smallest of the six species of hummingbirds regular- ly visiting or inhabiting California, and the rarest, proved to be a common breeding species of the higher San Bernardino moun- tains. It appeared to be exclusively confined to the upper Tran- sition and Canadian zones; and it was the only species of hum-
1908] Grinnell—Biota of the San Bernardino Mountains. 73
mingbird ascertained to nest in those belts, though the mistake might easily be made of assigning to them others which enter the region early in July only as transients. The dryer desert ranges did not seem to offer quite the right combination of attractions for this hummer; for we found none north or east of Bear lake, where on the north shore, in the vicinity of a group of tamarack pines, several were seen, and a full grown juvenal taken July 31, 1905. A very few were noted earlier in the same month in the vicinity of Bluff lake.
But it was in the region lying between the upper Santa Ana and the San Gorgonio ridge, that the Calliope hummingbird was observed to best advantage. Here it was noted as high as 9300 feet altitude, above Dry lake. In certain places, such as the lower Fish creek canon, and the cienagas towards the head of the South Fork, these birds were actually abundant—fully as numerous as I have ever seen the Anna hummingbird in the valleys of Cali- fornia.
The females of Stellula calliope have a decidedly rusty-red- dish color at a distance, thus resembling the females of Selas- phorus rufus or S. alleni, and it would be difficult for one un- familar with it to recognize the former with certainty, if there were no means of judging the size. But a collector’s familiarity with the birds in the field brings with it the conviction that I can always distinguish a female Calliope, even when I would not be so sure of the relative size of the bird in question. There are certain peculiarities of poise and flight, impossible to describe intelligibly, which characterize it; and the attenuated squeaky notes, so faint and difficult to locate, have a quality all their own. Of course with the brightly-gorgeted males there is no trouble at all in recognition.
The female Calliopes are wont to stay in the ravines and canons, where the streams are lined with columbines; while the dashing males each have a valiantly defended patch of goose- berries or manzanitas, high on the mountain side. The males are pugnacious, and each has his own flower preserve and regular perch (on some bush-tip) from which he drives all intruders, whether of his own species or another. As far as my observations went I saw not the least evidence that the male has anything
74 University of California Publications in Zoology. [Vou.5
whatever to do with nest-building or caring for the young. And on only one or two oceasions did I ever see a male invade the canon-bottom where the females were nesting, and then he was routed out by an irate mother. There were, however, neutral tracts on the upper slopes, red with castillejas and pentstemons, where the males and females were seen together, the former often in pursuit of the latter so swiftly as to give one but a moment’s impression of a filmy streak.
The time of nesting seems to vary somewhat. Nests with egos, fresh or nearly so, were found June 11 to June 30 (1906) ; and nests with young, June 12 (1906) to July 4 (1905). Nine nests that I have record of varied in height above the ground from twenty-two inches (measured) to seventy feet (estimated) ; I should judge the average height to have been about thirty-five feet, as the majority were above that height. The nests were all in canons, though none were directly over or very near the water, as with some other species of hummingbirds. One was located in an alder, two in silver firs, and six in yellow and Jeffrey pines. They varied somewhat-as to composition and bulk, but were of similar consistency. An average nest has an internal diameter of .84 inch, and depth of .55; it consists externally of bits of bark, seed capsules, fibers and web, and internally of plant down, fibers, and a few down feathers.
The eggs of the Calliope hummingbird are decidedly the smallest of any of our California species. Four sets of two eggs each measure as follows: .48 X .33, .47 X .33; .47 X .35, 46 X BG hs} Se a NS Se RR WO) Se BB Se Bh
Nineteen skins of this species were taken.
Tyrannus verticalis Say. Western Kingbird.
This species did not appear in the region until after the breeding season, save for a pair seen at Big Meadows, 6800 feet altitude, July 6, 1907, and I was not sure these were nesting there. Around the east margin of Bear lake several kingbirds were seen July 27 to August 2, 1905. The prevailing west wind swept swarms of insects across the lake and the birds were taking ad- vantage of the abundant supply. At Cushenbury springs at the desert base of the mountains the western kingbird was seen daily, August 9 to 14. Two skins were taken, both juvenals.
1908] Grinnell.—Biota of the San Bernardino Mountains. 75
Myiarchus cinerascens cinerascens (Lawrence). Ash-throated Flycatcher.
Several ash-throated flycatchers were seen in June in the scrub oak belt in the vicinity of Seven Oaks, 4800 to 5300 feet altitude, where they were doubtless breeding. The species was seen at the mouth of Mountain Home creek June 9, 1906; and one was taken on the mesa above the south fork of the Santa Ana, eleva- tion about 6400 feet, July 20, 1906. Full-grown juvenals were fairly common around the east end of Bear lake, August 2, 1905, feeding on the numerous insects that the west wind drifted across the lake. At Cushenbury springs, August 9 to 14, several of these flyecatchers made their appearance, evidently in migration.
Five examples in all were obtained.
Sayornis saya (Bonaparte). Say Phoebe.
Say phoebes were not seen outside of the pinyon belt. At Doble, 7000 feet altitude, and around the north side of Baldwin lake, 6800 feet, they were seen every day during our stay there early in August, 1905. One was seen as far south as the cienaga at the north base of Sugarloaf, 7500 feet, August 18.
The four specimens secured are all fully-grown juvenals, probably raised somewhere on the desert slope of the mountains.
Sayornis nigricans (Swainson). Black Phoebe.
The black phoebe appeared not to breed above the lower canons on the Pacific side of the mountains. <A pair were nesting at Skinner’s, near the confluence of Mountain Home and Mill ereeks, the second week in June in both 1905 and 1906. The nest was built under the north gable of the dining room.
By the first week in July the species began to appear all along the upper Santa Ana. It was noted at Seven Oaks July 6 and later, at the mouth of the South Fork July 5, and at Big Meadows, 6800 feet altitude, the highest we saw the species, July 4. By July 15, it was frequently seen about our South Fork camp. All that we were able to determine with certainty were juvenals. The rusty wing bars in this stage of plumage serve to show the age, if the observer is within, say, forty feet of the bird.
76 University of California Publications in Zoology. |Vou.5
Several black phoebes were seen along the shores of Bear lake the last of July, 1905, and two at Baldwin lake, August 8; also a single individual at Cushenbury springs, August 11, and one at the north base of Sugarloaf, August 21.
Nuttallornis borealis (Swainson). Olive-sided Flycatcher.
As we entered the mountains we met with the first olive-sided flycatcher in the Santa Ana canon, 2500 feet altitude, along with the first big-cone spruces. From this point up to the head of the Santa Ana the characteristic call-notes of this species were almost constantly within hearing distance. It seemed to be a bird of the canons and did not appear to range far up the sides of the mountains. The highest we saw the species was at Dry lake, 9000 feet altitude, where a nest was found June 23, 1906. There were three shehtly incubated eggs, and these together with the nest and female parent were preserved. The nest was on an outstretching tamarack pine limb twenty feet above the ground and over a steep creek. bank. It is a very shallow, somewhat frail-looking affair, more like a tanager’s than a wood pewee’s, and consists externally of coarse pine twigs, within which is a layer of fine plant stems; the lining is of long bark ravelings and the finest plant stems. The eggs are striking in appearance, being deep cream buif in ground color, with a conspicuous ring of blotches and spots around the large ends. These are of burnt umber, hazel, clay color, and vinaceous buff. The eges measure: se) >< ofA, BE SK ofM0), EE SK {ohel-
Near the mouth of the South Fork a nest was located twenty- five feet above the ground at the extremity of a lower drooping branch of a yellow pine. On July 10 it contained three half- fledged young.
In the vicinity of Bluff lake, 7500 feet, in July, 1905, this flycatcher was fairly numerous and young were noted. The species was still there August 29. On the north side of Bear lake, in a clump of tamarack pines, a pair of olive-sided flycatchers were seen July 31; and a specimen was taken on the north side of Sugarloaf, 8000 feet altitude, August 22. Eleven examples
of this species were taken.
1908] Grinnell—Biota of the San Bernardino Mountains. mnie
Myiochanes richardsonii richardsonii (Swainson). Western Wood Pewee.
This was a common species along the whole length of the Santa Ana. It ranged on the Pacifie side of the mountains from Upper Sonoran well into the Boreal zone. A nest was seen near the upper power house in the lower Santa Ana canon, June 12, 1905, and many others were noted between Seven Oaks and Big Meadows during June of each of the three years. Full sets of eges consisted invariably of three. At Dry lake, 9000 feet al- titude, the species was common, and on June 22, 1905, a nest was logated twelve feet above the ground on a horizontal dead branch of a limber pine. A bird was sitting, but was not disturbed. The notes of the wood pewee were to be heard before there was a trace of light early in the morning, and with the exception of owls and nighthawks this was the last bird to be heard at night.
Wood pewees were common at Bluff lake as late as September 1, though then very quiet. The species was common around Bear lake the first of August, and one individual was seen on the north slope of Sugarloaf August 21. One migrant in juvenal plumage was taken at Cushenbury springs August 12,1905. Otherwise we failed to find the wood pewee anywhere on the desert side of the mountains. Ten skins of this species were obtained.
Empidonax difficilis Baird. Western Flycatcher.
In the breeding season the western flycatcher seemed to be altogether limited to the lower canons of the Pacific slope of the mountains. An interesting association was that of the western flyeatcher with the big-cone spruce. For the former was never seen during June more than a hundred yards from the latter. The two evidently require similar conditions of shade and moist- ure at about the line of mergence between Upper Sonoran and Transition.
In Mountain Home ecafion at about 5000 feet elevation, June 23, 1906, I found a nest of the western flycatcher with four partly incubated eggs. This was six feet above the ground, supported against a dead alder trunk by an out-turned flake of bark, a very common site for the nest of this species in other parts of Cali- fornia. The nest was close to the stream, and also near a trail,
78 University of California Publications in Zoology. (Vou. 5
the bird flushing as the horses passed by. Many more western flyeatchers were noted along this caion at other times in June and July.
The species was also evidently nesting along Foresee creek, at 5000 to 6000 feet elevation at the north base of San Ber- nardino peak, where I saw or heard several July 12, 1905. Else- where in the region the species occurred, as I believe, only as a transient. It appeared on the upper Santa Ana in the willow thickets along the stream August 1, 1906. It was noted at Cush- enbury springs, at the north base of the mountains, August 10 to 13, 1905; at Cactus Flat, August 16; on the north side of Sugarloaf at about 8000 feet elevation, August 22; at Saragossa springs, near Gold mountain, August 26; and at Bluff lake, August 28. Eight specimens were secured.
Empidonax tyraillii traillii (Audubon). Traill Flycatcher.
Tn only one loeality was the Traill flycatcher met with during the breeding season. This was along the Santa Ana river in the vicinity of Seven Oaks, where it was decidedly common and nest- ing in the alders and willow thickets from 4800 to 5200 feet ele- vation in June and July of each year. It was the only Empi- donax of that locality; in fact the breeding ranges of no two of the Empidonaces indigenous to the San Bernardino mountains overlapped at any point.
Later in the summer the Traill flycatcher was found as a tran- sient at many points. It appeared on the upper Santa Ana, near the mouth of the South Fork, August 2, 1906. It was noted at Doble, August 7, 1905; at Cushenbury springs, August 10 to 14; at Cactus Flat, August 15 to 17; at the north base of Sugar- loaf, August 20; and about Bluff lake, August 29 to September
2. Hight examples were taken.
Empidonax griseus Brewster. Gray Flycatcher.
The Gray fiyeatcher proved to be the only Empidonax breed- ing in the upper Transition and Boreal zones of the region; and its abundance in favorable localities was remarkable. Around Bluff lake and on the south side of the upper Santa Ana towards San Gorgonio peak, there was scarcely an area of five acres with-
1908] Grinnell.—Biota of the San Bernardino Mountains. 79
out a pair of gray flyeatchers. Computing from the area known by me to be inhabited by this species, I estimated that there were, at the beginning of each breeding season of 1905, 1906, and 1907, before young-of-the-year began to appear, not less than 3760 gray flyeatchers in the San Bernardino mountains. While they were confined to the less arid parts of the region, they were not par- ticularly attached to the immediate vicinity of water. I found them no less abundant far up the mountain side south of the upper Santa Ana, than in Fish creek canon.
To enumerate stations of occurence, I found the species plen- tiful in the tamarack pine belt around Dry lake, 9000 to 9500 feet altitude, and around Dollar lake, at the head of the South Fork; on the north slope of San Bernardino peak, 8500 to 9000 feet altitude; in the black oak belt from Fish creek west across Hathaway Flat and down along the south wall of the upper Santa Ana to as low as 5500 feet, near our Cedar Cabin camp. At Bluff lake and in the same belt to the eastward for at least three miles they were abundant in July 1905 and up to the time we left the country, September 4. But further towards the desert they were scarce. I took one juvenal at the north edge of Bear lake, July 31. A number were observed and several taken on the north side of Sugarloaf, August 18 to 24, mostly young-of-the- year. And I noted three individuals at Saragossa springs, 7500 feet, near Gold mountain, August 26.
This flycatcher is a noisy bird. At daybreak, especially through June and July, its extended song was to be heard,—a querulous jumble of twitters, with rising and falling inflection here and there, which reminded me a bit of the sone of the black phoebe. But the gray flyeatcher’s song is different from that of any other bird I ever met with. Then there was an oft-repeated, resounding ‘‘ker-whit’, ker-whit’, whit’, whit’,’’ uttered at times by birds apparently foraging through the forest, so as to keep track of one another. Then there was a faint musical twitter of two or three syllables, repeated, given by a bird on leaving or approaching its nest. The commonest note, a sort of location note I should judge, was a soft low ‘‘pit,’’ reminding one of the Traill flycatcher, yet with a quality of its own. This is the note I first learned on making the acquaintance of the species, and it
80 University of California Publications in Zoology. [VoL
was rather with surprise that I found out the others, one after another.
The gray flycatcher does a good deal of its foraging about the tall conifers. I have followed individuals many minutes, which stayed far above gunshot range in the lofty pines. Then again I found them in the willow thickets of the caion bottoms, and at the edges of cienagas. This was especially true after the young were out, these repairing to the thickets rather than to the open woods.
As to nesting time, the latter half of June seemed to be the most favored time for fresh eges. But a nest was found June 15 (1905) with three newly-hatched young; and another with four heavily incubated eggs the same day; while on July 14 (1906) I found a nest of four eggs in which ineubation was moderately advanced. Altitude and zone may make a little difference; for the earliest eggs and young were found at 6000 to 7000 feet altitude, while around Dry lake, June 14 and 15 (1906), six nests were found all in process of construction. In the matter of nesting sites there was much variation. I found ,two nests within ten feet of the water; but the majority were on canon sides, or mountain sides (the same thing’), in some eases fully a mile from water in an air line. Out of twenty-two nests of which I have record in my field note-book, three were in willow, three in cottonwood, five in black oak, three in incense cedar, four in tamarack pine, one in fir, one in buekthorn, one in man- zanita, and one in mountain mahogany. The average height above the ground of twenty-two nests was 714 feet. The high- est, In an incense cedar, was forty feet, and the two lowest, one in a chinquapin and the other in a small cedar, was two feet. Some nests were saddled on horizontal limbs of as much as two inches diameter, or into large upright crotches; others were built among diverging upright twigs, or on the side of the main stem, supported by small outstanding branches. The latter was the case usually in young cedars.
In shape the nests were all deeply cupped. The inside meas- urements in several eases averaged 1.80 inches across by 1.60 inches in depth. While the size of the nest cavity remains prac- tically constant, the outside dimensions of the nests varied great-
1908] Grinnell.—Biota of the San Bernardino Mountains. 81
ly, depending a good deal on the nature of their support and surroundings. Some were fluffy externally, with shreds of ma- terial strageling down loosely. Others were built very compactly. After the thunder-stormy weather set in, in July, 1906, nests beeame perceptibly smaller, the material matting together closer than ever. It was a wonder to me how small birds and their nests were able to stand the pelting of hail and heavy rain; yet I knew of no case where I suspected the elements of being to blame for destroying a home.
In composition there was remarkable uniformity among the eray flyeatchers’ nests. The chief constituent was not by any means the most readily obtained material; at least one would have to search diligently to find it in the near vicinity of some of the nests. The stuff selected by the birds was the dry, weath- ered and more or less finely shredded inner bark of the willow. Occasionally weathered grasses entered into the make-up and other fibrous vegetable materials. The lining was of the same material as the main structure, only of finer texture, sometimes mixed with down feathers. In one ease the center of the floor of the nest was oceupied by a penny-sized tuft of flying-squirrel fur. This incidentally kept the four eggs from quite touching one another. By nature of their component material the nests were of a delicate silvery gray color. When built on cottonwood or willow branches, this rendered them very difficult to discern, but when built in the dark foliage of fir or tamarack, the light color rendered the nests conspicuous. The material chosen was the same whatever the site.
Out of twenty nests on record in my note-book, twelve con- tained four eggs or young each, five held three, and three held two. There is a fair chance that in some of the latter cases the set was incomplete. In one ease I know of, a nest held three eges and two days later there were but two; the bird was sitting at both times. The depredations of chipmunks and jays possibly account for this, and also for three nests which I was watching and which were altogether destroyed by some agency.
In color the eges of the gray flycatcher are plain cream-buff, or, to express it in another way, white tinged with cream-buff. In all of sixty eggs seen by me, there was not a trace of spot-
82 University of California Publications in Zoology. [Vou.5
ting,—with one exception. One of a set of four fresh eges, taken June 23, 1906, is sparsely but very distinctly dotted, chiefly about the larger end, with burnt umber. It resembles in this respect the spotted type of black phoebe’s eggs. Eggs found in July after the rains began were more or less discolored by a brownish tint from contact with the wet nest materials. In shape the eggs are usually ovate, sometimes short-ovate or even rounded-ovate. Forty-three eges average in size .69.54 inches. Extremes are 75 & .56 and .65 & .51. It will be observed that the short diam- eter of eggs is much less subject to variation than the length. Ninety skins of the gray flycatcher were taken, of which the majority are young. In this series there is a considerable amount of variation in coloration. Some, both adults and young, are extremely pale gray above and below; others, irrespective of sex, are sulphur yellow abdominally, and more greenish or olive dor- sally. Mr. Ridgway’s suggestion (Bds. N. & Mid. Am., Pt. IV, 1907, pp. 568, 570) that a sort of dichromatism exists in this species (as well as in £. wright’) seems to be sustained by my specimens. I cannot see that the hg¢ht and dark phases are cor- related with either age, sex, or season. The only drawback to the dichromatism idea is that there are intermediates between the extremes, so that it might better be considered a wide-ranging
individual variation.
Otocoris alpestris actia Oberholser. California Horned Lark.
One juvenal was seen on the meadow at Bluff lake, July 27, 1905, the only record for that place. During the succeeding week several were seen in the pastures along the south side of Bear lake. In August large numbers were seen on the north side of Baldwin lake. Seven specimens were secured including young and adults in various stages of moult. Two adult males have enough of the new plumage to warrant their identification as actia.
The most unexpected record for this bird was obtained on the very summit of San Gorgonio peak, 11,485 feet altitude. On July 16, 1906, I found fully twenty horned larks there, about the edges of the snowbanks. They were in companies of six or eight, or else in pairs. The one taken was an adult male in worn
1908] Grinnell.—Biota of the San Bernardino Mountains. 83
post-breeding plumage; other adults were seen closely, and I felt sure of also seeing full-grown juvenals. These could not pos- sibly have bred there; in fact I saw the species there but the once. They probably wandered up from San Gorgonio pass, a very short distance away horizontally, but 8000 feet below ver- tically, or else from Bear valley.
Cyanocitta stelleri frontalis (Ridgway). Blue-fronted Jay.
, This jay was unexpectedly scarce in many parts of the San Bernardino mountains, where conditions appeared to be of the sort to suit it. Only along the upper Santa Ana was it conspic- uously common. In the vicinity of Fish creek and South Fork, 6200 to 6500 feet altitude, adults and full-grown young were noted in June and July along streams. Several old nests were noted in the willow thickets.
They regularly robbed our mammal traps, and were very seldom caught themselves; we blamed them for robbing a nest of the gray flycatcher that we were watching. But in spite of such mischief they were extremely interesting visitors about camp. At our South Fork base camp, the jays were never molested, and they became very familiar, visiting our cook-table for anything eatable—and that was anything we could eat ourselves. One bird, in particular, was always recognizable by his peculiar note, which sounded like a creaking wheel-barrow or windmill. His presence was always announced by this unusual note, both in 1906 and 1907. I have often heard this species give a squalling note like that of a red-tailed hawk, and occasionally one just like a sparrow hawk; but the South Fork camp jay had a note of his own.
August 19, 1905, a company of blue-fronted jays were encoun- tered on the summit of Sugarloaf, at 9800 feet altitude. Speci- mens taken were still in full juvenal dress. A few were seen at 7500 feet altitude, August 20 to 23, 1905, on the north side of Sugarloaf, feeding on service-berries. A very few were seen around Bear lake.
This bird seems to be a strictly Transition zone species, as only the above recorded Sugarloaf station was outside.
Ten examples were taken.
84 University of California Publications in Zoology. (Vou.5
Aphelocoma californica californica (Vigors). California Jay.
With the exception of the one case noted beyond, this species was seen only in the Upper Sonoran zone. California jays were numerous on the south side of the mountains in the serub oak belt up to the lower limit of the pines. It was also noted in the pinion belt on the north side of the mountains down to 5500 feet, below Cactus Flat, and up to 7500 feet on the north base of Sugarloaf. In the latter place August 19 to 23, 1905, they were feeding on service-berries in company with blue-fronted jays. They were seen in a tongue of Upper Sonoran on the south face of Sugarloaf, 6800 feet altitude, July 3, 1905. Late in the sum- mer these jays were noted outside of their usual range. Several were seen in the willow thickets at Bluff lake, 7500 feet, among the firs and pines, from August 29 to September 3. In July in the same locality none were seen. The inference is that these had wandered up and over temporarily from the serub oak belt on the south side of the ridge.
Five specimens were taken.
Corvus corax sinuatus (Wagler). American Raven.
Several ravens were seen sitting around on dead trees near a slaughter pen at Coombs’s ranch just south of Bear lake, August 28, 1905. They were not as wary as usual, and I suppose are usually let alone, along with the turkey vultures. Several were seen at different times flying over Bear lake, and one was seen at Knight’s ranch a mile or so south of Baldwin lake.
Nucifraga columbiana (Wilson). Clarke Nutcracker.
The Clarke nuteracker was met with chiefly from the fir belt (upper Transition) up to timber limit (through Boreal). It was particularly noticeable about San Gorgonio peak. Early in June young were full-grown, so that it must have been long past the breeding season. The plumage of the young is softer and their bills shorter, than with the adults. In two juvenal speci- mens out of eight taken the tips of the feathers on the breast are white, giving a spotted appearance. I do not find this previously noted in the case of our North American Nucifraga; but it has
1908] Grinnell—Biota of the San Bernardino Mountains. 85
been noted in the adult European bird. This seems of genetic significance.
We found young and adult nuterackers together foraging in small companies of five to ten. They were easily attracted within range, by the collector uttering a harsh rasping sound between the tongue and roof of the mouth.
The species was seen on San Bernardino peak July 12, 1905. Several were seen on the north side of Gold mountain, 7500 feet altitude, August 26. Down on the lower edge of the pinon belt at Cactus Flat, 6000 feet, a pair were seen to visit a spring on August 16. The species was frequently seen in June and July at the head of the Santa Ana near the mouths of Fish ereek and South Fork, and down to 6000 feet altitude. It was seen once at Bluff lake, and a few were seen at a spring on the north side of Sugarloaf at-8500 feet altitude; also a few at a cienaga at the north base of the same mountain at 7500 feet elevation. An adult male taken August 26, 1905, on Gold mountain, has the fall moult nearly completed.
Eleven specimens were secured.
Cyanocephalus cyanocephalus (Wied). Pinon Jay.
The pinon jay was met with only among the arid northern ridges and valleys of the San Bernardino mountains. The first were met with at the east end of Bear lake, August 13, 1905, where a few in company with Brewer blackbirds were moving through the pines along the shore. The same day a very large flock containing perhaps 100 birds was encountered at the east end of Bear valley. In the vicinity of Doble and about the north shore of Baldwin lake, 6700 to 7200 feet altitude, pifon jays were the most conspicuous birds to be seen during August. They seemed to belong normally to the pion belt, although the troops when on foraging excursions wandered out on to the meadows and sage flats far from conifers of any sort. None were seen lower down than Cactus Flat, 6000 feet, on the desert slope, where a small flock was seen August 9. This was well within the pinons.
These jays were remarkable for their indifference to a per- son’s presence, and unless on the open ground paid little atten-
86 University of California Publications in Zoology. [Vou 5
tion, even if shooting was going on at a lively rate. I secured most of the specimens with the ‘‘aux’’ from junipers where the birds came to preen themselves after visiting springs. A large scattering flock may be absolutely quiet for minutes at a time, and then again indulge in a concert of nasal, mewing calls, which ean be heard a long ways. In their method of spreading out over a sage flat, and working zigzag over the ground in search of in- sects, they closely resemble Brewer blackbirds both in flight and general behavior. The flocks of pinon jays consisted of adults and young mixed; but the latter could not be distinguished until secured. Out of twenty-four specimens taken, seven are adults and seventeen are juveniles with loose-textured gray body-plum- age. Several of the latter have the lower surface smeared with pitch mixed with fine earth, so that the plumage is stringy and dirty. Both juvenals and adults (August 3 to 9) show much new plumage replacing the old ragged feathers. Some of the young are much further along in the process of moult than any
of the adults.
Sturnella neglecta Audubon. Western Meadowlark
A moulting male in nearly complete first winter plumage was obtained from a grass patch at the edge of Baldwin lake (then dry), 6700 feet altitude, August 27, 1905. The probabilities are that it was a newly arrived migrant, as none were seen in Bear
valley or anywhere else in the region at any time.
Icterus parisorum Bonaparte. Scott Oriole.
This species was found only at the desert base of the moun- tains. During our stay at Cushenbury springs, 4000 feet eleva- tion, August 9 to 14, 1905, I saw among the tree yuccas there and at Box S springs several orioles in immature plumage which I was quite sure belonged to this species. But they were all too shy to permit of close enough approach to shoot, except in the case of one individual secured from the group of cottonwoods at Cushenbury, August’ 11 (No. 7098, Coll. J. G.). This is a full- erown female parisorum in juvenal plumage. This specimen shows the looseness of feather structure, especially about the head and ventrally, characteristic of the juvenal stage of plum-
1908] Grinnell—Biota of the San Bernardino Mountains. 87
age. It can be readily distinguished from juvenals of both Icterus bullocki and Icterus cucullatus nelsoni of corresponding age, by its larger size and much darker coloration. The lower surface is dusky olive green, acquiring a gamboge yellow tint abdominally. And the back, wings, and tail are deeper toned than in either of the other species.
Icterus cucullatus nelsoni Ridgway. Arizona Hooded Oriole.
The Arizona hooded oriole was nearly as common as the Bul- lock oriole in the lower Santa Ana canon. But it was met with nowhere else during our entire trip. In the locality mentioned several nests were noted June 11 and 12, 1905. The greatest elevation at which this Lower Sonoran species was seen was about 4000 feet on the brushy mountain side above the mouth of Bear ereek. Here an adult male was seen by the roadside, June 12. No orioles of any kind were seen on our return down the Santa Ana canon, September 4, by which date they had evidently de- parted.
Two specimens were taken.
Icterus bullocki (Swainson). Bullock Oriole.
We found Bullock orioles common in the Santa Ana canon below the 3500-foot contour level, June 11 and 12, 1905. Sevy- eral nests were seen in sycamores. One examined was twenty feet above the ground nicely hidden in a mistletoe clump. This, on June 12, contained three newly hatched young and two eggs. The species was again seen in the same ecafion at the mouth of Foresee creek (below Seven Oaks), 4800 feet, July 13; and two males in full song were noted in the willows about the group of tent-houses at Seven Oaks, 5100 feet, June 14, 1907. But we found this Upper Sonoran species nowhere higher until the migratory movements began. Several immature birds were seen around Bear lake, August 1 and 2, 1905. We found Bullock orioles numerous on the desert side of the mountains, at Cushen- bury springs, 4000 feet, August 9 to 14, and at Cactus Flat, 6000 feet, August 14 to 17. About our camp at the north base of Sugarloaf (7500 feet) several were seen in the willow clumps each day from August 18 to 21. Finally, the last one for the
88 University of California Publications in Zoology. (Vou.5
trip was seen at Doble (7000 feet), August 25. All of these August birds were in either female or young plumage. Two
specimens were taken.
Euphagus cyanocephalus (Wagler). Brewer Blackbird.
At Big Meadows (6800 feet), which is at the head of the Santa Ana, a colony of Brewer blackbirds were evidently breed- ing, June 14, 1905. July 4, adults were seen there feeding nearly erown young; and the species was again in evidence there in July, 1907. A lone young male was shot from the border of Dry lake, 9000 feet altitude, June 18, 1907, evidently a straggler from somewhere far below. Around Bear lake in the latter part of July and in August large flocks of adults and young were feeding along shore, where insects, snails, and tadpoles were abundant. A few were seen at Knight’s ranch, between Baldwin lake and Sugarloaf, at about 7000 feet elevation, August 25.
Carpodacus purpureus californicus (Baird). California Purple Finch.
This species impressed me as being one of the rarer birds of the region. In fact I failed to detect it at all im 1905. Im 1906 I saw a male at Schneider’s ranch, below Seven Oaks, June 18; and on July 6 and 17 I saw several young in the willows just above Seven Oaks, 5100 feet. An adult female was taken on the Santa Ana below our South Fork camp, July 14; and on the 20th a full-plumaged male was secured on the South Fork, 300 yards above its mouth, at about 6300 feet altitude. The latter bird was alone, feeding on the ground beneath the willows and cedars near the stream, and both individuals had probably wandered up the valley from a lower level. On August 4 an adult female and a juvenal were taken in a willow thicket on the Santa Ana, at about 6000 feet elevation. On June 13 and 22, 1907, I saw and heard California purple finches in Mountain Home canon a mile or so aboye Skinner’s, 4300 feet, and also about Seven Oaks.
To summarize, the California purple finch in this region ap- pears to be confined to a narrow belt on the Pacific side of the mountains at about the line of mergence between Upper Sonoran and lower Transition; preference seems to be shown for the near
1908] Grinnell—Biota of the San Bernardino Mountains. 89
vicinity of streams. While at certain points all three species of Carpodacus were to be noted late in summer within sound of each other, it is plain that each is characteristic of a separate breeding area.
Carpodacus cassini Baird. Cassin Purple Finch.
The Cassin purple finch was a very common bird in most parts of the higher mountains. It was exclusively confined to the Transition and Boreal zones, and was found practically every- where we went within these zones below 10,000 feet altitude. Along the upper Santa Ana above about 5500 feet altitude this species was very abundant, as also at Bluff lake and around Bear lake and Dry lake. Small companies composed solely of male birds were often met with, feeding in-open places among the pines. These bachelor parties were in evidence all through June and July at the same time that other individuals were paired off and occupied with their nests and young. The male of this spe- cies as far as I could judge was just as attentive to his own mate and young as a linnet; so I would not accuse him of desertion. The question might be raised whether or not in this species more males than females come to maturity. At any rate there seemed to be a large excess of males. Full-grown young were found about Bear lake on July 31, 1905; and on Sugarloaf they were common in August. Young were noted at Saragossa’ springs, 7500 feet, on the northwest side of Gold mountain, and in Hol- comb valley, August 26; but none were seen lower down on the desert side.
Three nests were found near Dry lake, 9000 to 9200 feet alti- tude, June 23 and 26, 1906, each containing four eggs. One of the sets was fresh, and the other two were ineubated to an ad- vaneed stage. As full-grown young were seen in the same locality June 18, 1907, the breeding season must cover at least two and a half months, which is a long period for the Boreal zone. All three nests were in tamarack pines, near the bushy ends of out- stretching branches. They were forty-five, fifty, and fifteen feet above the ground, respectively. The three nests are so much alike that a description of one will apply to all. Externally it consists of a foundation-work of coarse, dry, crooked weed stems
.
90 University of California Publications in Zoology. \Vou.5
and gooseberry twigs, in this respect something like a tanage1’s. But the internal cup is much better formed and deeper. It con- sists of fine yellow and brownish rootlets and grass stems, with an intermixture of finely slivered plant fibers, probably bark from small stems. The inside diameter of the cup is 2.30 inches, the depth 1.10.
The eges are quite distinctive in size, color, and markings, not for a moment to be confused with those of the California purple finch, or the linnet. The ground color is a far deeper blue, and the markings more numerous. One of the sets may be described as follows: The ground color is Nile blue, of the exact tint of No. 23, Plate IX, of Ridgway’s Nomenclature of Colors. The markings are condensed into a broadish ring about the larger end, the small end being almost immaculate. The markings con- sist of spots and blotches of pale lavender with a few bold pune- tuations of bistre. In another set the surface markings are in the nature of minute lines and dots. The three sets measure in inches as follows: .74.60, .72.61, .75.60, .73><.61; .85<.60, 82.60, 83.60, 88.61; .79X.63, .78X.62, .77.62, .80X<.62.
Thirty-one skins of this species were taken.
Carpodacus mexicanus frontalis (Say). Linnet or House Finch.
This species was to be found with fair certainty during the breeding season in the Upper and Lower Sonoran zones; later its wanderings led it up through Transition. It was noted on the lower Santa Ana, where a nest was located in a crevice of the canon wall near the Narrows, June 11, 1905. Linnets were com- mon around Seven Oaks, on the upper Santa Ana at 5000 feet altitude. This is just at the border between Sonoran and Trans- ition. A nest with eggs was found here June 24, 1906, built on the projecting end of a log over the front door of the biggest eabin. Linnets were not seen along the Santa Ana above Seven Oaks until well along in July, when a regular wave of adults and young in small companies advanced up at least as far as Big Meadows, 6700 feet altitude. A few were seen in Bear valley August 2, 1905. On the desert slope of the mountains the species proved common in August, 1905, at Cushenbury springs, 4000 feet, where old nests were seen in tree yueceas; at Cactus Flat,
1908] Grinnell.—Biota of the San Bernardino Mountains. 91
6000 feet; around Doble, 7000 feet; through Holeomb valley ; and at the north base of Sugarloaf, 7500 feet. At the latter point August 18 to 22, they were feeding on service-berries in company with Cassin purple finches. One unparalleled and re- markable occurrence was the taking of an adult male linet on the extreme summit of Sugarloaf, 9842 feet altitude, June 24, 1905. Eight examples of this bird were taken.
Loxia curvirostra stricklandi Ridgway. Mexican Crossbill.
Although I thought I: heard crossbills in the same locality in June, 1905, it was not until July 15, 1906, that I secured speci- mens confirmative of this record. On the curiously ridged and basined stretch of country immediately west of Dry lake, from 9100 to 9400 feet elevation, stands a mixed growth of limber and tamarack pines. In this timber I first heard the calls of a party of erossbills and then saw them flying past overhead. But it took patient search to locate them; for when perched and feeding they were absolutely quiet and almost motionless. A company of about eight, all told, were working on the green (year-old) cones in the tops of two or three limber pines. Three of the birds were shot before the flock was lost track of. These were adults, but I thought I saw streaked juvenals as well. I heard the notes later, a loud chirp with a peculiar twang, repeated sev- eral times in rapid suecession, goldfinch-fashion, when flying, but failed to locate the birds. None were detected during an hour’s hunt through the same neighborhood June 18, 1907. But there is a large extent of the same kind of woods, and scores of the birds may be scattered about, and yet defy immediate dis- covery.
T sent the three skins to Mr. Harry C. Oberholser of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, who pronounces them stricklandt. They measure in millimeters as follows:
No., 4 Depth of Bill from Coll. J. G. Sex Wing Tail Culmen Bill Nostril 7584 2 91 62 18.7 10 15.6 7585 6 98.5 67 20 11 17 7586 6 97 65 21.5 Wye 18
This is by far the southernmost summer record of the cross- bill for California.
92 University of California Publications in Zoology. [Vou.5
Astragalinus psaltria hesperophilus Oberholser. Green-backed Goldfinch.
A very few individuals were noted in the upper Santa Ana, where a specimen was taken as high as Fish creek, 6500 feet, June 23, 1905; and a nest was found on the mesa above the mouth of the South Fork, at about 6400 feet altitude, July 9, 1906. This is of note as being well within the Transition zone; for the bird according to my experience is ordinarily a strictly Upper Sonoran species. The date is also noteworthy, suggesting that the pair may have nested lower down earlier in the season ; for no green-backed goldfinches were previously seen in the local- ity. The nest was situated nine feet above the ground in a black oak, and contained four fresh eggs of the usual type.
In the vicinity of Seven Oaks several of these goldfinches were seen. In the lower Santa Ana, below the confluence of Bear creek, the species was numerous June 11 and 12, and several nests were found along the canon. It was also noted in July and August in the lower Mill creek ecafon. At Cushenbury springs, at the desert base of the. mountains, this was a fairly common bird August 10 to 14, 1905. Four skins of this species were taken.
Astragalinus lawrencei (Cassin). Lawrence Goldfinch.
This bird ranged up through the Transition zone in several portions of the region. On the upper Santa Ana from Seven Oaks as high as Fish creek, 6500 feet altitude, it was commonly noted; and on June 30, 1905, one individual was seen as high as the South Fork cienaga, 8500 feet. The species was undoubtedly nesting along the Santa Ana; juvenals became common in July, 1906, and on July 26, 1907, I found a brood of one-third-grown young in a sage clump. In the pinon belt around Baldwin lake and at Doble, 6700 to 7000 feet altitude, several were seen in August. Seven specimens were obtained.
Spinus pinus (Wilson). Pine Siskin.
Pine siskins were more or less abundant from the lower Transition zone up into Boreal. They were common along the upper Santa Ana above Seven Oaks and in Fish ereek and South
1908] Grinnell—Biota of the San Bernardino Mountains. 93
Fork canons; up the latter to 8500 feet elevation, June 29, 1905. Several pairs were seen on San Bernardino peak, 10,600 feet altitude, on July 12, 1905, where they were singing volubly among the limber pines. They were abundant on the meadow at Bluff lake where they were feeding on grass seed; full-grown young were taken there on July 25. A solitary individual was taken at a spring on the north side of Baldwin lake August 4, 1905. Otherwise none were noted on the desert side. Eleven skins of this species were secured.
Passerculus sandwichensis alaudinus (Bonaparte). Western Savanna Sparrow.
At Cushenbury springs, 4000 feet altitude, August 12, 1905, an immature specimen in full fall plumage was secured, and another seen. These were evidently migrants.
Chondestes grammacus strigatus (Swainson). Western Lark Sparrow.
This species was met with at Doble, 7000 feet altitude, August 6, 1905, when a full-grown juvenal was taken, the only one seen. It was noted commonly on several dates in June, July, and Aug- ust, 1907, on the stubble fields at the mouth of Mill ereek canon.
Spizella socialis arizonae Coues. Western Chipping Sparrow.
The western chipping sparrow was a common species from the lower limit of the yellow and Jeffrey pines up nearly to timber limit on the highest mountains. It was constantly abund- ant all along the Santa Ana from Seven Oaks to Big Meadows. In June and July the species was noted regularly and in fair numbers up the ridges toward San Gorgonio peak. June 18, 1905, I saw males in full song among the limber pines up to fully 10,000 feet altitude. Several were met with on the very summit of San Bernardino peak, 10,600 feet, July 12, 1905. At Dry lake, 9000 feet altitude, June 14, 1906, a nest was found con- taining four much incubated eggs. The nest was in bulk and structure typical for the species, and was situated fourteen feet above the ground in a tuft of needles near the extremity of a branch of a tamarack pine. Full-grown young were numerous
94 University of California Publications in Zoology. (Vou. 5
around the margin of Dry lake July 15, 1906. In Bear valley the last of July large flocks of full-grown young of this species were feeding along the lake shore. Only one individual was seen in the pimon belt. This was an immature taken at a spring a little below Cactus Flat, August 9, 1905. At Saragossa springs, northwest of Gold mountain, and through Holcomb valley, Aug- ust 26, chipping sparrows were noted, especially near watering places. Twenty-six specimens in all were taken.
It seems strange that we have to call this in the San Bernar- dino mountains a strictly Transition and Boreal species, when it is at the same time a common breeding species in the gardens of many of the valley towns of southern California, Upper and perhaps also Lower Sonoran.
Spizella breweri Cassin. Brewer Sparrow.
This was a characteristic and abundant bird in the Arte- misia belt on the desert slope of the mountains. In the vicinity of Doble, 7000 feet altitude, and at Cactus Flat, 6000 feet, the species fairly swarmed in August, especially about the few springs. As early as August 4, birds-of-the-year were in com- plete winter plumage. They were also met with in small num- bers at Cushenbury springs, at the desert base of the mountains, August 10 to 14, 1905, and a few at Saragossa springs, north- west of Gold mountain, August 26. On the sage flat at the north base of Sugarloaf a few were noticed August 21. On the Pacifie side of the mountains several full-grown juvenals were met with in a sage flat at the lower end of Big Meadows, 6700 feet altitude, on July 4. A small company of young was found on a mountain side near the South Fork, 7500 feet, June 30. In the brush belt at Seven Oaks full-fledged juvenals were common July 7 to 10. The species appeared the first of August, 1906, along the upper Santa Ana, between the mouths of Lost and Fish creeks, and a bird-of-the-year in full first winter plumage was taken on the third of that month. In the latter four localities I concluded ° that the birds had made their appearance after the breeding season, moving over the short distance from the sage belt on the north side of the divide, at the head of the Santa Ana. Sixty-
eight specimens were secured.
1908] Grinnell—Biota of the San Bernardino Mountains. 95
Spizella atrogularis (Cabanis). Black-chinned Sparrow.
The characteristic song of the black-chinned sparrow was heard at suitable places along the walls of the lower Santa Ana cafion June 11 and 12, 1905. On the brushy south-facing moun- tain side between Clarke’s ranch and Seven Oaks, 4500 to 5000 feet elevation, the species was numerous June 13, and some time was spent in searching for nests, but without success. The birds were again seen on the road above Clarke’s ranch on September 4, when specimens in full winter plumage were taken. They were also frequently seen and heard in June and July along the north side of the upper Santa Ana, as far as the south face of Sugarloaf, about 6800 feet altitude. Several were heard and seen in the wash at the mouth of Mill creek, June 13, 1907. The only other place that we found them was at Cactus Flat, 6000 feet. altitude, where on the desert slope of the mountains, at various times between August 9 and 17, many were seen and several taken on the brushy mountain side. Both adults and birds-of- the-year were secured and all had nearly or quite completed the fall moult even as early as August 9. Adults as well as young in the winter plumage lack entirely the black chin patch. Nine examples were taken.
Junco hyemalis thurberi Anthony. Sierra Junco.
Sierra juncos occurred in more or less abundance throughout the Transition and Boreal zones. They favored the margins of cienagas and stream banks, in preference to the dry open woods, especially as breeding places. They were excessively numerous among the cienagas at the head of the South Fork of the Santa Ana, and at Bluff lake. They were fairly common in the breed- ing season along the upper part of Mountain Home creek, and along the upper Santa Ana from Seven Oaks to the heads of the tributary streams. At least twenty-five nests were found, con- taining eges or young. The nest complement was usually four, though quite frequently only three. Nearly fledged young were noted as early as June 15 (1907), so that nesting must begin early in May. Fresh eggs were found from June 11 to 28; and at Bluff lake, July 27, 1905, a female junco was flushed from her
96 University of California Publications in Zoology. (V5
nest and one fresh egg, so that possibly two broods are reared in a season.
The nests were all on the ground. One, found June 17, in the black oak belt above Fish creek was built far back under the end of a log on a hillside, so that no part of it could be seen from any viewpoint. I flushed the bird casually by stepping on the log. Most nests were in depressions in the turf under overhang- ing grass tufts, preferably on slopes. A nest found June 12, 1906, in the canon of the South Fork is typical of the usual style. It consisted outwardly of weathered leaves, bark strips, and grass blades, in quantity to suit the depression in the sod where it was located. Inwardly it consisted of fine straw-yellow grasses and a few horse hairs. The inner cavity of the nest was 1.25 inches deep and 2.22 in diameter.
The eges of the Sierra junco seem to be subject to no great amount of variation in either size or color. The set taken with the above described nest is colored as follows: The ground- color is white with palest tint of Nile blue; the markings vary in color through various tints from hazel to vinaceous; these markings are spread all over the eggs, but are agglomerated into a denser belt about the large ends, where they run together, giv- ing a blurred effect, especially with the deeper-set dots and blotches of vinaceous. Two sets of eggs measure in inches as follows: .80.62, .79X.61, .80.61, .79.61, and . 76.58, Hh <ey ><a), ofl <8)
Juncos were noted in August sparingly around Bear lake, and on the north side of Sugarloaf clear to the summit. A few were noted on the north side of Gold mountain and through Holcomb valley, August 26, 1905, but not farther down on the desert side. Sierra juncos were always common in the tamarack pine belt around Dry lake, and they were often seen up the slopes toward San Gorgonio peak. Several parties of adults and full-grown juveniles were seen about the snowbanks on the sum- mit of this peak July 16, 1906; and on June 19, 1907, a male was perched on the tip of the rock monument on the very summit, 11,485 feet altitude, smging repeatedly and vigorously. The species was also observed on the summit of San Bernardino peak, 10,630 feet altitude, July 12, 1905. Forty-eight skins of the
Sierra juneo were obtained.
1908] Grinnell —Biota of the San Bernardino Mountains. 97
Amphispiza bilineata deserticola Ridgway. Desert Sparrow.
The desert black-throated sparrow was the most abundant bird on the desert around Cushenbury springs, 4000 feet altitude, August 10 to 14, 1905. Full-grown juveniles, young and adults in many stages of moult, were secured. At Cactus Flat, 6000 feet, the species was also common, and on August 16 a family of young seareely able to fly was met with among the tree yuccas. A single full-grown juvenal was taken at Doble, 7000 feet alti- tude, August 8. Twenty-two specimens in all were taken.
Amphispiza belli (Cassin). Bell Sparrow.
This sparrow appeared to be breeding commonly in the grease- wood brush in the vicinity of Clarke’s ranch, 4000 to 5000 feet altitude. Full-grown young were taken there June 12,