Fresh diggings of pocket gophers were observed along the trap lines.
Badger tunnels were noted in numerous surface mounds that are remnants
of prehistoric Indian dwellings, but no badgers were seen. Numerous deer
and several rabbits were present. Juncos, two species of jays, and
woodpeckers were seen daily. No reptiles were observed.
Both _Peromyscus maniculatus_ and _P. truei_ were caught in this area
(Table 1).
_Big Sagebrush Stand, South Chapin Mesa_
A circular trapline, 1,000 feet in circumference, was established on
November 16, 1961, in a stand of big sagebrush, and was operated for 30
consecutive nights.
The vegetation of the trapping area was predominantly _Artemisia
tridentata_ (big sagebrush), interspersed with a few scattered seedlings
of pinyon and juniper. This stand was burned in 1858 (tree-ring date by
David Smith) and some charred juniper snags still stood. The deep sandy
soil also supported a variety of grasses and a few other small plants.
The following species were common in this area:
_Bromus inermis_
_Oryzopsis hymenoides_
_Poa fendleriana_
_Sitanion hystrix_
_Solidago petradoria_
_Orthocarpus purpureo-albus_
The 15 to 20 acres of sagebrush were surrounded by pinyon-juniper
forest. The trapping station closest to the forest was approximately 100
feet from the edge of the woodland. More _P. truei_ than _P.
maniculatus_ were caught here (Table 1).
_East Loop Road, Chapin Mesa_
The trapping area lies north of Cliff Palace, eastward of the loop road,
at elevations of 6,875 to 6,925 feet. Two pairs of traplines were run
from January 9, 1962, to January 12, 1962, and from February 13 to 15,
1962.
Vegetation was pinyon-juniper woodland with an understory of mixed
shrubs. One to four inches of old snow covered the ground during most of
the trapping period, but the ground beneath trees and shrubs was
generally clear, providing suitable location for traps.
Numerous juncos and jays were seen in this area; deer and rabbits also
were present.
Individuals of _P. truei_ and of _P. maniculatus_ were taken (Table 1).
_Navajo Hill, Chapin Mesa_
Navajo Hill is the highest point (8,140 feet) on Chapin Mesa. The top of
the hill is rounded and the sides slope gently southward and westward
until they level out into mesa-top terrain at elevations of 7,950 to
8,000 feet. The northern and eastern slopes of the hill drop abruptly
into the respective canyon slopes of the East Fork of Navajo Canyon and
the West Fork of Little Soda Canyon. The gradually tapering southwestern
slope of the hill extends southward for one mile and is bisected by the
main highway, which runs the length of the mesa top.
Heavy growths of grasses cover the ground; _Amelanchier utahensis_,
_Cercocarpos montanus_, and _Fendlera rupicola_ comprise the only tall
vegetation. Trees are lacking on this part of the mesa, except on the
canyon slopes, where _Quercus gambelii_ forms an almost impenetrable
barrier.
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