8o 



Sierra Club Bulletin 



found sadly depleted when it finally ends. For most of the mountain regi- 

 ments of the various combatants were in considerable part composed of 

 alpinists. Foremost among the Italian army leaders stands the Duke of 

 Abruzzi, Prince Luigi Amadeo, who has an enviable record of explora- 

 tion and first ascents. Eighty-two members of the British Alpine Club 

 are now at the front, and six have been killed in action. W. F. B. 



Natural History In a previous Bulletin we have called attention 

 Survey of Yosemite to a natural history survey of Yosemite National 

 National Park Park which has been undertaken by the Museum 

 of Vertebrate Zoology of the University of Cali- 

 fornia. The Sierra Club has a deep interest in the completion of this 

 survey and has sought to encourage it both officially and through as- 

 sistance rendered by individual members. It is gratifying to learn from 

 Director Joseph Grinnell that a large amount of material and data have 

 been gathered which will be utilized in the preparation of the following 

 separate reports: "(i) a technical paper on the systematic status and re- 

 lationships of the lesser known vertebrate species of the region; (2) a 

 scientific treatise on the problems in animal distribution brought to light 

 by the field explorations; and (3) a semi-popular account, in book form, 

 of the natural history of the birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians of 

 the Yosemite region, to be illustrated, and to include a discussion of 

 animal life as an asset of National Parks." Members of the Club and all 

 who go into the High Sierra have a natural interest in the only poison- 

 ous reptile of the region. It is known that rattlesnakes do not occur in 

 the higher parts of the Sierra Nevada, but it is very desirable that a map 

 be prepared for publication showing accurately their range in the Yo- 

 semite Park. To this end members of the Sierra Club and others who 

 have been in the Yosemite National Park are invited to report all their 

 encounters with rattlesnakes, giving exact locality, altitude, date, and 

 any exceptional circumstances. This information should be sent to Di- 

 rector Joseph Grinnell at the University of California. W. F. B. 



National Park Every one who has the welfare of the national parks 

 Affairs at heart should "put his shoulder to the wheel" and 



help to pass the bill now pending before Congress and 

 providing for a national park service. Practically every one is agreed 

 that this is eminently desirable, but Congressmen must be impressed 

 with its importance. Therefore, let each one write to as many Senators 

 and Representatives as possible, and especially to those of his own dis- 

 trict, urging the importance of passing such a measure. Do it now before 

 the inclination is forgotten, for here is a chance to help materially. The 

 terms of the bill are to be found in Notes and Correspondence of this 

 issue. 



The good work inaugurated by Stephen T. Mather as assistant to the 

 Secretary of the Interior, goes on. His task has been a monumental one. 



