32 THE CONDOR Vol. X 



descended into a deep, gloomy gorge and after crossing it, began the long, steep 

 climb up to the summit of South Yallo Bally itself. All the latter part of the 

 afternoon we struggled up towards its enormous rounded crest, and we reached it 

 just as the last rays of the setting sun made it light when all the lower heights were 

 in semi-darkness. 



The scene from the summit was one of memorable beauty. All about us was 

 a wild confusion of rugged peaks and densely timbered ridges, seen dimly in the 

 fading light, un one side was the steep slope up which we had just come, reced- 

 ing downwards till lost in darkness. On the other we could barely see several 

 pockets in the mountain's side, each a miniature valley with its little green meadow 

 and its tiny trickling brook. In one of these we made our camp almost within a 

 stone's throw of a huge drift of snow. This camp can be easily located, for just 

 above it on the mountain's summit is a surveyor's monument marking the corners 

 of three counties, Mendocino, Trinity and Tehama. 



A word of explanation in regard to this region might not be out of place. 

 South and north Yallo Bally Mountains (pronounced Yollo Bolly) are the highest 

 peaks of the Coast Range, and as such should throw some light on the problems 

 of geographical distribution. Bunnell and myself, I believe, had the privilege of 

 being the first naturalists to visit this interesting region and as a result of our hum- 

 ble efforts several new races of mammals were brought to light. The region is cer- 

 tainly worthy of more extended study. The altitude of South Yallo Bally is about 

 8000 feet. Our camp here was from July 24 to August 2. Boreal conditions of 

 flora ruled about the summit, where spruces and probably firs were the prevailing 

 trees. A descent of about 500 feet would bring one into the beginning of the 

 Transition Zone, magnificent forests of bull pine {Pinus fonderosa) being met 

 shortly below this point where the gentler slopes began. The small valley in 

 which our camp was, quickly narrowed and, changing into a small rocky canyon, 

 descended rapidly for about 300 to 400 feet where it broadened out and became 

 thickly grown with willows and shrubbery thru which a clear brook ran. This 

 canyon offered a great variety of conditions, and trapping and bird-collecting were 

 excellent. The mammals we got here included white-footed mice, voles, shrews, 

 gophers, copper-head squirrels, chipmunks, woodrats, a coon, a badger, and a 

 weasel. Signs of coyote, wild-cat and porcupine were also met and deer were quite 

 plentiful. The Yallo Bailies are a famous spot for bears, but we learned of their 

 presence only thru hunters and sheep-herders. 



The most abundant birds at this place were Juncos and Audubon Warblers. In 

 merry troops they visited our camp, dashing within a few feet of where we were 

 preparing specimens, or curiously watching us from perches but a few feet distant. 

 Clarke Crows frequently flew with steady, even flight over our heads to some dis- 

 tant ridge, and Western Robins, roving thru the evergreens in small bands brought 

 memories of gardens and homes strangely in contrast to the present reality of soli- 

 tude and wildness. But the bird that most truly voiced the spirit of this lonely 

 mountain top was the Olive-sided Flycatcher. Its clear, loud whistle had in it the 

 quality of joyous freedom, and sentinel-like upon a lofty evergreen spire it would 

 ring out its challenges all day long. Its vigil began with the first light of day. A 

 few, faint, timid twitterings steal out of the gray dawn, but gaining courage as the 

 day brightens, the bird's notes grow louder and louder until the cold, still air is 

 filled with the wild free ecstacy. 



On August first we decided to change camp as the possibilities of small mam- 

 mal trapping seemed about exhausted. From two goat-herders who had their camp 

 nearby we learned of a deserted ranch some six rniles distant where "varmints" 



