Journal of Entomology and Zoology, Vol. 09, No. 3, September 1917 — John Shaqi
Journal of Entomology and Zoology, Vol. 09, No. 3, September 1917Various
Science
Journal of Entomology and Zoology, Vol. 09, No. 3, September 1917
Various
Entomology -- California -- Periodicals; Entomology -- Periodicals; Zoology -- California -- Periodicals; Zoology -- Periodicals
Since little or nothing has been published on mammals of this region
it was deemed advisable to print a list even though very incomplete
and based on preliminary and limited collecting in order to have some
definite forward step in this much neglected line. Some of the mammals
listed below have not been collected by us but are known to occur. Thanks
are due Mr. H. S. Swaith for his kind aid in identification of some of
the skins collected.
Bears of course have long since disappeared but still have left their
reputation among old mountaineers. The story goes that a bear, perhaps
the last one, was killed at Bear Flats on the trail to "Old Baldy," hence
the name.
_Odocoileus hemionus californicus._ (Caton.) California Mule Deer. Fairly
common through Upper Sonoran and Transition zones. They have been taken
as low as the mouth of San Dimas canyon. The recently established game
preserve assures an increase in the future. Already they seem to have
sensed the protection for on May 19, 1916, we were surprised to find just
75 feet before us a large doe on the auto road not far above the first
power house.
_Ovis canadensis nelsoni?_ C. M. Merriam. Merriam Desert Bighorn.
Mountain sheep have lived for years in the higher peaks above Claremont
but being very shy and in inaccessible and little frequented parts have
escaped attention very successfully. Rumor has it that Mountain Goats
are found with the sheep but I believe this to be unfounded, having been
originated probably by the sight of the smaller horned females and young.
The area occupied by the sheep is a very definite one and comprises the
peaks Ontario, Cucamonga, Telegraph, St. Antonio ("Old Baldy"), and
Iron Mountain with their high rocky intervening ridges. Of the points
mentioned the first three peaks are the favored ones. I found only a few
tracks on Iron Mountain and a rumor of a pair of horns found there some
five or eight years ago. "Old Baldy" being too often visited is not a
frequented spot for the sheep, serving only as a connecting link to Iron
Mountain. However signs around Ontario, Cucamonga and Telegraph peaks
are abundant and anyone with a little patience and diligent endeavor
can readily see the sheep themselves. They travel often in bands, as
many as fifty and in summer keep to the highest places. Where they go in
winter is as yet a mystery to me, probably lower into canyon heads for I
have never found them on the top during this season. This of course is
natural for these peaks practically become great ice mountains dangerous
for anything to travel over. Besides grass the food consists of twigs
and leaves of _Castonapsis sempewirens_, several species of _Ceanothus_,
_Rhammus croceus californicus_, _Rhus trilobata_ and a parsnip _Pastinaca
sativa_.
_Citellus beecheyi._ Richardson. California Ground Squirrel. Abundant in
all parts from brush land to 8,000 feet altitude in suitable localities.
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