18 Scenes of North American Wildlife

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SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY BIRD GROUP Presented by Mr. Joseph D. Grant to the Museum of the California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco In the spring and early summer it is the practice of the cattlemen in the San Joa- quin valley to flood their land with water, to a depth of 6 to 18 inches, to induce a ranker growth of grass for pasture. Many thousand acres are thus flooded and con- verted into marsh land to which vast numbers of ducks, waders and other swamp-loving birds are attracted. During the breeding season great numbers of birds come there to build their nests, lay their eggs, and rear their young. These breeding grounds are frequented by more than 30 different species of birds as shown in the group. In this exhibit is shown a typical breeding ground near Los Baños, Merced County, California. In order to show in a limited area a con- siderable number of the species nesting in this region it has been necessary to bring them somewhat closer together than they actually are in nature. STAMP SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY WATER-FOWL GROUP Donated by Mrs. Delia Fleishhacker to the Museum of the California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco The Sacramento-San Joaquin Valley has long been noted for the great variety and abundance of its water fowl. A few spe- cies, such as the Cinnamon Teal, Mallard, Sprig, Redhead and Ruddy Duck, breed in the Valley, and may be found there in limited numbers throughout the year. The principal breeding grounds of most of our ducks and geese are north of the United States, in Canada and Alaska. After the breeding season, when the young are able to fly well, these north- ern breeding species come southward to their winter feeding grounds, one of the greatest of which is the San Joaquin Valley. This group shows a typical scene on the grounds of the Los Baños Gun Club, in February, just as the sun is setting be- yond the Coast Ranges at Pacheco Pass, and just as a flock of white-fronted Geese is arriving. STAMP SACRAMENTO VALLEY COTTONTAIL HABITAT GROUP (Sylvilagus auduboni) In the Museum of the California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco This interesting little rabbit was originally described from San Francisco by Profes- sor Baird, who named it for John James Audubon, the great American ornitholo- gist. In Golden Gate Park it is, next to the squirrels, the most familiar and at- tractive of the native mammals. It is found throughout the Park wherever suit- able cover exists. One or more pairs may be seen almost any day, particularly early in the morning or late in the even- ing, feeding at the edge of the large patch of procumbent bushes of the Stink- bean (Albizzia lophantha) on the hillside on the east side of the walk just after passing through the first tunnel when entering the Park from Tenth Avenue. These little "bunnies" make their home under these bushes. From this safe re- treat they come out to feed upon the grass nearby. STAMP CALIFORNIA CONDOR GROUP (Gymnogyps californianus) In the Museum of the California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco The largest flying bird in America, if not in the world. Dwells in the wildest and most inaccessible regions of the Coast Ranges, from Monterey County south- ward. Formerly common but now very scarce, perhaps the rarest bird in Cali- fornia. The Condor is a scavenger, feed- ing on dead animals of various kinds, such as sheep, cattle, etc., and is there- fore a very useful bird. It is protected by law, which imposes a severe penalty on anyone who kills any Condor or destroys its nest or egg. STAMP FARALLON ISLANDS BIRD ROOKERY Presented by Mr. Wm. H. Crocker to the Museum of the California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco In this group are shown the ten species of sea birds and the one land bird that breed on the Farallon Islands. These rocky islands are about thirty miles off the Golden Gate, from which they may be seen on any clear day. Thousands of sea birds resort to these cliffs to lay their eggs and rear their young, one of the most common species being the Western Gull which, during the rest of the year, is very abundant about San Francisco, following the ferry boats across the bay. Until a few years ago, thousands of Murre's eggs were brought each year from these rookeries and sold in San Francisco to the bakeries and pastry concerns. The Islands are now a Federal Bird Reserva- tion and the birds and their eggs are rigidly protected. STAMP DESERT BIRD GROUP Presented by Mr. Wm. B. Bourn to the Museum of the California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco In this exhibit are shown, under natural surroundings, several species of the birds that nest in the Colorado and Mohave deserts of Southern California. The par- ticular locality represented is near Cotton- wood Springs, about twenty miles north- east of Mecca, Riverside County, Cali- fornia. The spring rains transform the desert into a veritable flower garden, the many and varied forms of vegetation sending forth an astonishing amount of beautiful bloom. Then is the nesting time of the birds, which are there in surprising numbers, some of them, as the Hooded Oriole and the Vermilion Flycatcher, rivaling the flowers in brilliancy of coloration The total number of species of birds nest- ing in this part of the Colorado desert is more than a score, and some species, as Gambel's Quail, are represented by num- erous individuals. The nests, however, are usually rather widely scattered, ex- cept in the vicinity of water. In this scene, in order to show a considerable number of the desert species, it was necessary to bunch them much more closely than they would be found under normal conditions. STAMP STELLER'S SEA LION GROUP (Eumetopias stelleri) In the Museum of the California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco Found along the Pacific Coast of America from the Santa Barbara Islands to Bering Sea; seen occasionally on the seal rocks near the Cliff House, also on the Farallon Islands. This group represents a scene on New Year's Island, twenty-five miles below San Francisco. These animals reach a large size; the old bull shown here weighed 1800 pounds. Fishermen claim these sea lions are very destructive to the commercial fisheries; they doubtless do some damage, but not nearly so much as has been claimed. The breeding season on the California Coast is in June. One young is produced at a birth. The noise made by the Steller's Sea Lion is very loud, resembling that made by a lion; this, together with the long yellowish hair of the neck of the bulls, doubtless led to the name sea lion. STAMP LEOPARD SEAL; CALIFORNIA HARBOR SEAL (Phoca richardi geronimensis) In the Museum of the California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco These interesting seals are fairly common in many places along the California Coast, particularly in the bays. Unlike the fur seals which are highly polygam- ous, the Harbor Seals are monogamous. On our coast the young are born in April and May; one pup is the rule. These seals are not migratory nor are they as gregarious as other seals. They are com- paratively silent, not making a loud roar- ing or barking as sea lions do. They are fond of basking in the sun, especially at low tide. On the land they are clumsy creatures. They move by pulling them- selves forward by their fore flippers; in swimming the hind flippers do most of the work. The rookery here shown is a part of that at Cypress Point, near Pacific Grove, the animals were California, obtained. where STAMP CALIFORNIA SEA LION GROUP In the Museum of the California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco This species (Zalophus californianus) oc- curs on the California Coast from the Golden Gate southward, breeding in many places, particularly on the Santa Bar- bara Islands. The rookery here shown is on Santa Cruz Island. Owing to their intelligence and small size, this is the species of sea lion that is sometimes trained and shown in zoological parks. In early days these sea lions were killed by thousands on the California Coast for their hides and oil, but they have now become so reduced in numbers that the business is no longer profitable, and these animals, as well as the leopard seals and Steller's sea lions are now protected by State and Federal laws. The breeding season is from June to Aug- ust; only then are the males seen on the rookeries. STAMP ALASKA FUR-SEAL GROUP (Callorhinus alascensis) In the Museum of the California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco This shows the North Rookery on St. George Island, Bering Sea. One harem, consist- ing of one old bull, several cows and their pups, is in the foreground; many others are in the distance. The young are born in about equal num- bers. As the seals are polygamous, all the females, but only a small proportion of the males, are saved for breeding pur- poses; the surplus males are killed on the land by the Government, for their fur. A very unwise law, which prohib- ited the killing of the useless males in 1912 to 1917, caused an actual money loss to the United States of over $3,000,- 000 and very great injury to the herd. Fortunately this closed season has run its disastrous course, and killing has been resumed. The herd now (1920) numbers more than 550,000 seals. An average seal skin is worth at least $100. STAMP CALIFORNIA LINNET (Carpodacus mexicanus frontalis) In the Museum of the California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco The cheery song of the Linnet or "Red- head", as it is familiarly called, from roadside fencepost or telegraph wire, or from the trees about the house, is a typi- cally Californian sound which goes far to offset the disrepute into which the fruit-eating habits of the singer have placed it. Investigations have shown that fruits of various kinds constitute about ten per cent of the food of the Linnet. This is serious, but it is more than over- balanced by the fact that the same inves- tigations showed that about eighty-six per cent of the Linnet's food consists of seeds of injurious weeds. Nesting commonly in any suitable nook or corner about the house, in the vines on the trellis, and in the sheds about the ranch house or city residence, an ever- impending Fate in the form of the house cat threatens the Linnets and their young. Indeed, cats are by far the worst enemies that our native birds have. Not alone do the stray cats destroy our wild birds, but the most pampered feline darl- ings are almost equally bad. STAMP DESERT MOUNTAIN SHEEP GROUP In the Museum of the California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco This species of mountain sheep or big horn (Ovis cremnobates) is found in the des- ert mountains of Southern California and adjacent parts of Nevada, Arizona and Mexico. The animals in this group were taken in December, 1913, in the San Ja- cinto Mountains, Riverside Co., Calif. The slender horns of the females have given rise to the mistaken belief that the Ibex -an animal found only in Europe and Asia is found in America. The story that mountain sheep sometimes jump from high precipices and alight on their horns is entirely erroneous, and is on a par with hoopsnake, sea serpent and other similar stories. In the desert mountains water is usually scarce, and the mountain sheep fre- quently eat the barrel cactus, the pulpy interior of which contains a large per- centage of water; and this no doubt en- ables the sheep to go for long periods without drinking. The snow-capped mountain in the distance is San Jacinto Peak. STAMP ANTELOPE OR PRONGHORN GROUP (Antilocapra americana) In the Museum of the California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco The Antelope formerly ranged in immense numbers over the plains and valleys of North America, west of the Mississippi River, from Mexico to Canada. In California great herds ranged through- out the Sacramento and San Joaquin val- leys and in other valleys to the north, east and south. As a result of persistent persecution and slaughter for their hides and meat, these animals have, in most parts of their range, been entirely wiped out. In Southeastern Oregon and North- western Nevada, they are still fairly com- mon. In California, isolated bands, each consisting of a few individuals, are still left. In all these states they are pro- tected by state law. The Pronghorn is the only member of the hollow-horned animals which annually sheds its horns. In the Pronghorn, how- ever, only the outer shell or sheath is shed, and not the entire horn, as in the deer and elk. The Pronghorn is also unique in not possessing dew claws or accessory hoofs on the backs of the feet, as in deer. This group represents a scene in Modoc County, California, looking toward the Warner Mountains. STAMP ROOSEVELT ELK GROUP (Cervus roosevelti) Donated by Mr. Wm. C. Van Antwerp to the Museum of the California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco This magnificent animal inhabits the humid coast belt from northwestern California to Puget Sound. It is most abundant in the Olympic Mountains. Theodore Roosevelt spoke of it as the most stately and beautiful, as well as the noblest of the stag family throughout the world, and adds: "Whoever kills him has killed the chief of his race, for he stands far above his brethren of Asia and Europe." Dr. C. Hart Merriam, who described the species, called it "Cervus roosevelti", and said: "I deem it a privilege to name this splendid animal Roosevelt's Elk. It is fitting that the noblest deer of America should perpetuate the name of one who, in the midst of a busy public career, has found time to study our larger mammals in their native haunts and who has writ- ten the best accounts we have ever had of their habits and chase." STAMP SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY ELK GROUP In the Museum of the California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco This beautiful species formerly ranged in vast numbers over the Sacramento-San Joaquin Valley. That it did not become entirely extinct as the result of the perse- cution to which it was subjected is due to the interest taken in it by the late Henry Miller, who gave instructions to the em- ployees on the great cattle ranches of Miller & Lux not to disturb the elk roaming over their land but to protect them in every way possible. This was done, and the only wild herd now left is on the Kern County lands of Miller & Lux. The group here shown represents a scene near Buttonwillow, Kern Co., Calif. Mrs. Carl M. Goodspeed. st 19 Waverly St, Brookline Mass. COLUMBIAN BLACK-TAILED DEER GROUP In the Museum of the California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco This represents a scene in Mendocino Co., Calif., where the deer shown were taken. At this season the deer assume the "red coat", which is gradually shed, changing to the bluish coat. The hair then be- comes grayer and longer for the winter months. In the spring the long hairs are shed and the red coat of summer re- appears. The horns are shed annually, usually in February and March. The entire antler drops off, and a new horn sprouts out from the skull. During the growing pe- riod the horn is covered with skin and hair, this covering being known as the "velvet". The horn gradually hardens, and the velvet is worn away by rubbing against trees and bushes. The common belief that the number of points on the horn indicates the age of the deer is erroneous. STAMP WHITE PELICAN GROUP Presented by Mr. A. K. Macomber to the Museum of the California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco On Anaho Island in Pyramid Lake, Ne- vada, is a breeding colony of about 10,000 of these interesting birds. scene represents a small portion of the colony as it appeared in June, 1917. There are similar breeding grounds at Buena Vista Lake in Kern Co., at Eagle Lake in Lassen Co., and at the Klamath Lakes. The White Pelican usually nests on the ground, while the Brown Pelican often nests in bushes or low trees. The number of eggs is usually two or three, sometimes four or five. The eggs hatch in about twenty-nine days. Note how helpless the newly hatched young ap- pear; also the way the young are fed. Note also the "centerboard" on the bills of some of the adults; this drops off soon after the breeding season begins. STAMP CALIFORNIA CLAPPER RAIL (Rallus obsoletus) In the Museum of the California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco The principal home of this Rail is in the salt-marshes of the southern arm of San Francisco Bay. In the broad salicornia marshes that fringe this bay, the Cali- fornia Clapper Rails are more numerous than would seem apparent. Skulking, hen-like birds, their loud cackling out- cries advertise their presence more often than the sight of the birds themselves, while their tameness and weak flight render them easy prey to the hunter. The inroads of the latter have so reduced the numbers of Rails that an all-year closed season has been placed upon them. Reclamation of the marsh land, with its consequent reduction of breeding areas, is decreasing the birds sadly. Early in April the nest is made; as shown here, usually upon the slightly higher ground bordering some some tidal tidal channel. When the four to eight eggs hatch, the downy black chicks are at once able to leave the nests and follow the parent birds. STAMP