24 THE BIOLOGY OF HARDING COUNTY 



ivy (Rhus) is widely represented. Of the twining plants the 

 chief are smilax (Nemexia) clemantine (Clematis) and in the 

 ravines, hop (Humulus), bittersweet (Celastris) and Virginia 

 Creeper ( Parthenoeissus ) . 



The most characteristic grasses of the open woods are the 

 wild rye (Elymus) and brome (Bromus) with squirrel-tail 

 (Hordeum) and red-top (Poa) locally conspicuous. Among the 

 herbs chief are the horse mint (Monarda), thistle (Carduus), false- 

 solomon-seal (Smilacina), Disporum, golden-rods (Solidago). In 

 the ravines the following are in evidence : Geum, snake-root 

 (Sanicula), loose-strife (Stieronema), nettle (Urtica), and on the 

 shaded north facing banks the wintergreen (Pyrola), twinflower 

 (Linnea), brittle fern (Filix), strawberries (Fragaria), and three- 

 flowered-bedstraw (Galium). 



The most numerous birds of the groves are : Western 

 Mourning Dove, Downy and Redheaded Woodpeckers, the 

 Flickers, Kingbird, Alder Flycatcher, Magpie, Sparrow Hawk, 

 Cross bill, Goldfinch, Western Lark Sparrow, Arctic Towhee, Black 

 headed Grosbeak, W-hite-rumped Shrike, Yellow Warbler, Long- 

 tailed Chat and Brown thrasher. 



Among the mammals the more conspicuous are the cottontail 

 (Lepus) the chipmunk (Eutamias), the porcupine (Erethizon), 

 the skunks (Mephitis and Spilogale), big brown bat (Eptesicus), 

 red bat (Lasiurus), the pack rat (Neotoma), the raccoon (Pro- 

 cyon), Kangaroo or jumping Mouse or rat (Zapus) etc. The 

 Canada Lynx (Lynx) has been occasionally trapped in the forest 

 reserves, and puma (Felis) are reported to have strayed into this 

 country within the past decade. The Whitetailed Deer (Odo- 

 coileus) is not yet quite exterminated. 



,(c) The vegetation of the woods averages infinitely more 

 bulky than does that of the grass lands. The trees of the open 

 groves of this area all have a well developed tap root system. The 

 dispersal of the seeds of the trees is left to the wind to accom- 

 plish. Almost all the shrubs bear fruits which are edible to the 

 birds which therefore distribute them. 



The birds, instead of being runners or walkers as those of 

 the plains are mainly hoppers or creepers. Most of the nests are 

 placed in the trees or shrubs. Several indeed, nest in holes in the 



