MOUNT RAINIER Rules and Regulations 1920

TWELVE CHARACTERISTIC PARK BIRDS.¹

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¹By Walter P. Taylor, assistant biologist, Bureau of Biological Survey, U. S. Department of Agriculture.

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RED-SHAFTED FLICKER.

Size.—Somewhat larger than a robin.

General color.—Head, nape, chin, and throat gray, with brownish crown and forehead, males with red mustaches; upperparts smoky brown with transverse black bars, underparts lighter, with numerous conspicuous round black spots, and shield of black on breast; wing and tail feathers red shafted; rump white; end of tail black.

Identification.—The red-shafted wing and tail feathers, and prominent white rump distinguish the flicker from any other woodpecker in the park.

Principal call note.—A ringing yip, yip, yip, yip, yip, yip.

Occurrence.—From the park boundaries to timberline.

Remarks.—The noisest, most conspicuous, most adaptable, most numerous, and most universally distributed woodpecker in the park. The flicker undoubtedly prefers the tracts of "ghost" trees or dead stubs which are encountered at fairly frequent intervals around the mountain; for here both nesting sites and food are present in greatest abundance.

STELLAR JAY.

Size.—Somewhat larger than a robin.

General color.—Head black, back gray, rump, tail, and underparts blue.

Identification.—A prominent crest, combined with the bluish coloration and saucy habits, suffice to distinguish this bird from any other.

Principal call note.—Has been well rendered by the syllables shaack, shaack, shaack.

Occurence.—Commonly found from park boundaries to about 3,500 feet altitude. Abundant at Longmire Springs. A vertical migration takes place in late summer, when the birds may be found in the high parks, just below timberline.

Remarks.—Fond of human society, or, rather, of the good pickings that go with it. More or less omniverous as to diet, loquacious of temperament, alternately bold and shy. A secretive nester. Comports himself with much dignity and the appearance of respectability and worldy wisdom, but is something of a villain in spite of that, for it is well known that he is not averse to eating the eggs and breaking up the homes of smaller birds.

CAMP ROBBER—OREGON JAY.

Size.—About that of a robin.

General color.—Gray above, whitish beneath; top of head dark brown, face mostly white.

Identification.—The grayish coloration of the back, combined with the whitish color of the underparts and dark brown head, serve to distinguish this bird. If these were not sufficient, its extraordinary habits would at once identify it as a camp robber.

Call notes.—Possesses a number of widely different calls, such that one not infrequently thinks several different varieties of birds are within hearing. Prominent are a rekkek, rekkek, wheet, wheet, and wheeup, with a whistled wheeoo.

Occurrence.—Throughout the forested area within the park.

Remarks.—A most loquacious and inquisitive bird. Less shy than any other in the park. Does not hesitate to invade one's camp and appropriate tasty morsels of butter, potatoes, and scraps of mush or meat even from the very plate from which one is eating—if one will permit. The vocal versatility shown by the bird, his occurrence in heavy timber where other birds are scarce, his informal manner of dropping in on one's camp, his extraordinary freedom from shyness, and his comical struggles with food fragments too large for him to carry away promptly, all contribute to one's affectionate interest in the Oregon jay, and serve to establish his reputation as one of the park's most interesting bird citizens.

VARIED THRUSH.

Size.—Of a robin.

General.—Slate color above, tawny below, with black breast band; belly more or less whitish; two reddish yellow bands on wings.

Identification.—The black breast band and the two chestnut wing bars suffice to distinguish this bird from its relative the robin.

Voice or principal call note.—An exceedingly elusive bird song, difficult or impossible to describe, but once heard ever after recognized; "the famous note that holds the rapt sublimation of the songs of all the thrushes."

Occurrence.—From the park boundaries to the limit of trees.

Remarks.—This bird, while abundant through the park, is never conspicuous. It is a personification of the elusive and mysterious inward spirit of the majestic forest in which it makes its home. Its color, demeanor, song, call notes, and habits harmonize perfectly with this conception.

WESTERN WINTER WREN.

Size.—About that of a house wren.

General color.—Dark brown, lighter beneath.

Identification.—The small size, deep-brown color, absence of conspicuous white line over the eye, and ground-loving habits of this diminutive park resident makes identification easy.

Voice or principal call note.—The call note most often heard is a chek, chek-chek, chek-chek. This wren possesses a variety of notes and its tiny tinkling song is one of the most attractive features of the heavy dark woods.

Occurrence.—Abundant from the park boundaries nearly to the limit of trees.

Remarks.—This bird seems as much a part of the shadowy forest floor as the mosses, huckleberry vines, huge logs, and upturned roots of its surroundings. Ordinarily the bird does not venture higher than 6 feet above the ground, but is wont suddenly to issue from beneath a huge mossy log quite close to the observer and give his usual command to chek-chek, chek-chek. If approached he dodges back under the log, or slips silently away in some handy root tangle. Food, nesting site, and approved living conditions all are furnished in abundance by his forest-floor habitat.

WATER OUZEL—DIPPER.

Size.—About two-thirds that of a robin.

General color.—Slate gray.

Identification.—No other bird can be confused with the modestly dressed dipper, with its bobtail, its pretty habit of courtesying, and its passion for turbulent streams and waterfalls.

Call note.—A rekekekk, which has been rendered also as a jigic, jigic, jigic. Possesses a song of full rich notes, which is wonderfully attractive in the wild surroundings in which this bird is usually found.

Occurrence.—Along streams and about lake shores from the park boundaries to 5,900 feet altitude.

Remarks.—As is well known the water ouzel has the extraordinary habit of nesting beneath waterfalls. The Washington Cascades between Narada Falls and Paradise Valley is a favorite stretch of water, but one is not unlikely to meet the bird on any of the streams of the park. The birds have also been observed swinging low over the water near the shores of Reflection and Mowich Lakes, apparently as much at home as on the cascading creeks below.

CLARK NUTCRACKER.

Size.—Somewhat larger than a robin.

General color.—Body plumage gray; wings black, bordered with white; tail black above with white margins, white beneath.

Identification.—The gray body plumage, black wings with white borders, and black tail with white margins well serve to identify this bird.

Call notes.—The most conspicuous is usually described as a chaar chaar. The harsh begging cries of the young importuning their elders for food reminds one somewhat of the domestic fowl.

Occurrence.—At high altitudes (above 5,000 feet) in the eastern part of the park. Most abundant in Glacier Basin, but found west on the south side of the mountain as far as Indian Henrys Hunting Ground and on the north side to Chenuis Mountain and Tolmie Peak.

Remaarks.—Omnivorous feeders and rather secretive nesters. Common about the settlements in Paradise Valley. Often not shy, invading the camp and making off with whatever eatables they can find. Equally at home on the ground or in the conifers. Usually attract much attention through their loud and penetrating cries.

SHUFELDT JUNCO.

Size.—About that of an English sparrow.

General color.—Head, throat, and breast black, back brownish gray, belly white, wings and tail dusky, tail edged with white.

Identification.—No other bird can be mistaken for the black-hooded, gray-brown backed, and white-bellied snowbird.

Call note.—The call note most frequently heard is a chek chek. The lilting trill song, tlip, tlip, tlip, tlip, tlip, tlip, very rapidly repeated on a single note, as often heard also.

Occurrence.—Throughout the park from the lowest altitudes to timber line.

Remarks.—The trill song of the Shufeldt Junco is at least as likely to be heard in the dwarfed firs at timberline as any other sound. In this bleak region it is cheering and delightful.

WHITE-TAILED PTARMIGAN.

Size.—Of a small domestic fowl.

General color.—Above in summer, pale tawny, or dull-grayish buff, mottled or barred with black; underparts mottled or barred with black on a whitish ground; belly, wings, and tail white. In winter plumage wholly white.

Identification.—Can be confused with no other bird in its habitat.

Voice or principal call note.—A rolling cluck varied with a sharp squeal or squeak, as follows: Susqueek, cluk-luk-a-luk-cluk-luk-a-luk or simply squeek, cluk, cluk, cluk, cluk.

Occurrence.—Foumd between altitudes of 6,000 and 8,000 feet all around the mountain, the region at or just above timber line being the ptarmigan's preferred habitat.

Remarks.—The birds nest on the ground, usually in the shelter of a rock. The exquisite heather bells, with the leaves of the little alpine buckwheat and other vegetation of the heights, furnish in summer an abundant supply of food. Tame and unsuspicious, the ptarmigan is one of the most easily approached and studied of birds. Its grace, beauty, and pleasing personal characteristics, coupled with the inspiring nature of its surroundings, make the ptarmigan in its habitat perhaps the most attractive bird in the park.

PINE SISKIN.

Size.—Of a goldfinch.

General color.—Above grayish or brownish, rump paler; below dull white; streaked with dusky above and below; two whitish wing-bars. Basal parts of principal wing and tail feathers pale yellow.

Identification.—The less secretive habits of the pine siskin, with the longitudinal steaking and shrill call notes, distinguish this bird from certain warblers with which it might otherwise be confused.

Call notes.—The principal call note in flight is Soooeet, with a slightly rising inflection.

Occurrence.—Found throughout the park, to altitudes far above timberline.

Remarks.—This goldfinch of the heights is an attractive little creature, both in his dress and his personality. Of an exceedingly sociable disposition, he apparently regrets the necessity of giving up the flocking habit even for the nesting period, and as soon as possible he gathers with his relatives, friends, and acquaintances into considerable companies. These flocks, made up sometimes of as many as 200 or 300 individuals, may be seen perching on heather banks, snow fields, rocks, or alpine firs, continuously circling and wheeling as they seek their food, conversing amicably in the pleasing siskin language as they industriously work and play together.

PIPIT.

Size.—About that of an English sparrow.

General color.—Gray above, whitish washed with buffy beneath; breast more or less streaked lengthwise with dusky.

Identification.—In the field this bird appears dark above, and buffy-whitish beneath. A more or less conspicuous lengthwise streaking on the breast is apparent also. The tail appears brownish, with white edgings. At intervals the bird tips up its tail in a characteristic manner.

Call notes.—Alarm note, whist, whist, whist; location call, tsink, tsink.

Occurrence.—From timberline, averaging 6,500 feet altitude, at least to Camp Muir, altitude 10,000 feet.

Remarks.—With the rosy finch and pine siskin, the pipit holds the altitude record for birds observed by us in the park. Grassy patches above timberline are apparently preferred for nest sites. Often one will encounter this bird cheerfully teetering and calling on storm-swept rock ledges or pumice slopes from hundreds to thousands of feet above the last dwarfed and matted trees.

HEPBURN LEUCOSTICTE OR ROSY FINCH.

Size.—About that of an English sparrow.

General color.—Brown above and below, with rose color along flanks and on margins of wing feathers. Head gray, except black frontal patch; face gray.

Identification.—The pipit is the only other bird of similar size occurring in the leucosticte's habitat. The darker color alone of the latter would usually distinguish it from the pipit; the leucosticte lacks the white markings on the tail possessed by the pipit, and also the teeter-tail habit so conspicuous in the pipit. The bearing of the birds is different, the leucosticte being a sparrow; the pipit a wagtail.

Call notes.—Krek, krek, or kereck, kereck; sometimes peep, lip, lip, peep, lip, lip.

Occurrence.—Noted on rocky ridges from timberline, 6,500 feet altitude, at least to the altitude of Camp Muir, 10,000 feet.

Remarks.—Individuals or pairs of this hardy bird mountaineer can quite certainly be found if one has the persistence to climb to its habitat. Apparently scorning more comfortable surroundings, the Rosy Finch selects for its home and feeding ground bleak and windswept ridges of rock and dizzy crags and precipices, and it is not hard to understand why very few nests have ever been found. In the fall the birds gather in considerable flocks and descend to lower altitudes.

TWELVE CHARACTERISTIC MAMMALS OF THE PARK.¹

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¹By Walter P. Taylor, assistant biologist, Bureau of Biological Survey. U. S. Department of Agriculture.

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COLUMBIAN BLACK-TAILED DEER.

Size.—Big bucks will approximate perhaps 200 pounds.

General color.—In summer, rich rusty red; in winter, grayish brown.

Identification.—The short, broad black tail is sufficient to distinguish this deer from any other.

Occurrence.—Found generally distributed around the mountain, in the meadows and timber to 6,000 feet altitude.

Remarks.—While present, doubtless, in greater numbers than one would at first suppose, deer are not often seen, probably because of the liberal amount of cover afforded by the heavily forested park area. One is as likely to observe deer on the green meadow at Longmire Springs, or along the road between Longmire Springs and Paradise Valley, as anywhere in the park.

MOUNTAIN GOAT.

Size.—Old billies will probably weigh up to 400 pounds.

General color.—White; nose and horns appear black.

Identification.—The shaggy white hair, short unbranched horns, and awkward-appearing heavy body suffice to identify the animal.

Voice.—Seldom heard. The kids have a shrill whinny, a little like the mew of a cat.

Occurrence.—Found all around the mountain, in summer usually at or above timberline.

Remarks.—Any mountaineer who is vouchsafed the sight of a mountain goat in the park may consider himself fortunate, for here, contrary to the case elsewhere, the animals are extremely wary. Living amid glaciers, rocky crags, precipitous cliffs, and pumice fields, the mountain goat has a habitat on Mount Rainier the superior of which in scenic grandeur would be very hard to find. Though present in some numbers about the mountain, one must hunt with exceeding great care to see him at all. Remarkably light on his feet for so heavy-bodied and clumsy-appearing an animal, he is able to negotiate ice and rock slopes of unbelievable steepness. His size, sure-footedness, conspicuousness, herding habit, and unapproachability make the mountain goat unquestionably the most interesting animal in the park.

BLACK BEAR.

Size.—Length, 6 feet or less; weight, usually between 200 and 300 pounds.

General color.—Black or brown, both phases occurring in the same kind of bear, often, indeed, in the same litter.

Occurrence.—Found throughout the park in suitable situations, perhaps more often than elsewhere in the open alpine park country between altitudes of 4,500 and 6,000 feet.

Remarks.—Sign of the presence of bears, in the form of tracks and droppings, is much more often seen than are the animals themselves. Not infrequently, however, especially in huckleberry time, one catches sight of the bear himself regaling his appetite on the juicy fruit. Although bears have been protected since 1899 when the park was established, they do not seem to be abundant, and they continue shy. The abundance of cover also militates against their being seen, and there are undoubtedly many more bears in the park than one might at first suppose.

HOARY MARMOT—WHISTLER.

Size.—About that of an averaged-sized badger.

General color.—Black, brown, and gray; face black; nape, shoulders, and upper back gray, remaining portion of back and rump black grizzled with gray; tail brown; underparts dark brown grizzled with gray; feet black.

Identification.—Any animal of heavy-bodied appearance about the size of a badger, noted on the rock slides or in the green meadows nearby, is sure to be a marmot.

Voice.—A shrill, penetrating whistle of clear quality and decided attractiveness.

Occurrence.—Abundant in rock slides from 4,900 feet altitude to timber line and somewhat above.

Remarks.—The clear and penetrating whistle of the hoary marmot is among the best of the wild music of the mountains. The facility with which the animal traverses rock slides and steep slopes would scarcely be anticipated in an animal of so heavy-bodied and awkward an appearance. The reposeful demeanor of the marmot, as it sits quietly on some convenient rock as one approaches, gives little evidence of the struggle between curiosity and caution taking place within. During July the young appear with their parent, and seating themselves on some handy bowlder stare at the observer with a comical gravity. The picture furnished by the glorious amphitheaterlike cirques of the pars, with their precipitous walls, glaciers, snow fields, and rock slides, and their forests and flowers, would scarcely be complete without the whistler.

THE DOUGLAS SQUIRREL.

Size.—A little smaller than the gray squirrel.

General color.—Dark brown above, the color separated as a rule from the paler or redder color of the underparts by a black line. Tail bordered with paler color.

Identification.—The unstriped dark-brown back of this squirrel serves to separate it from any other member of the squirrel family in the park.

Voice.—An alarm note is qurr-r-r-reep. The call perhaps most often heard is a quooo, quooo, quooo, which is sometimes uttered at intervals of a few seconds for a considerable period of time.

Occurrence.—From the boundaries of the park to timber line and above, all around the mountain.

Remarks.—A bundle of restless energy, the Douglas squirrel is always one of the most interesting mammals of the woods. On seeing you suddenly he appears to be almost overcome by his nervous excitement, and running jerkily up the nearest tree he calls down imprecations upon you for disturbing the quiet of his peaceful woods. His bright eyes, unusual activity, and graceful movements are sure to attract favorable comment. Probably more people will become acquainted with the Douglas squirrel than with any other animal in the park except the chipmunks.

LITTLE CHIPMUNK.

Size.—About one-third the size of a house rat. Length of tail and body, 9-1/2 inches or less.

General color.—Pale grayish brown, with nine stripes lengthwise on the back, alternating dark brown and lighter; sides brownish; underparts whitish; face gray, striped with dark brown; tail blackish above margined with brownish, below pale brownish edged with black and brown.

Identification.—The brownish rather than silver grayish margins of the tail separate this form from the cooper chipmunk.

Voice.—Possesses several call notes, one of the commonest of which is whtz, whtz, whtz, whtz, and so on, often for a quarter of an hour or more. When suddenly surprised the chipmunk breaks into a whole series of excited chitter lags, which betray his uncontrollable excitement.

Occurrence.—In open situations all around the mountain between 4,500 and 6,500 feet altitude.

Remarks.—The chipmunk of the open alpine park country about Paradise Inn and elsewhere at similar altitudes (5,500 feet) is smaller and a trifle paler than the chipmunk of the deep woods about Longmire Springs. The bright eyes, sharp call notes, curiosity, and generally vivacious and sprightly temperament of the chipmunks make them without doubt the most attractive mammals commonly seen by travelers through the park.

COOPER CHIPMUNK.

Size.—About one-third the size of a black rat. Length of tail and body, 9-1/2 inches or more.

General color.—Deep brown, the nine lengthwise black stripes less accentuated than in the little chipmunk, tending to be obscured by the deeper color. The light stripes are brownish and grayish, never white; tail black above, margined with silvery gray; dark brown below, edged with black and gray.

Identification.—The silver-gray rather than brown margins of the tail separate this species from the little chipmunk.

Voice.—Very similar to that of the little chipmunk. A whistled whooit note is conspicuous in its repertoire.

Occurrence.—From the park boundaries to an altitude of 6,000 feet, or nearly to the limit of trees.

Remarks.—One may frequently walk for some minutes along trails or roads through the deep forests about Longmire Springs without seeing a single bird or mammal. It will not be long, however, before one of these handsome chipmunks will be noted running with consummate grace and agility along a mossy log, or sitting on his haunches, alert and watchful, to see what is coming. This chipmunk possesses the mischievous character so often attributed to the tribe in general, and makes himself very much at home about the cabins and camps at Longmire Springs. He is a very attractive and friendly "brother in fur," however, and one should remember that the crumbs that nobody else cares for afford the chipmunk ideal materials for a feast.

THE MANTLED GROUND SQUIRREL.

Size.—Of a brown bat.

General color.—Black grayish brown, with two series of more or less conspicuous lengthwise stripes on the sides of the back, an almost obsolete black stripe above, a white stripe in the middle, and a strong black stripe below; underparts lighter; head, shoulders, and forearms inclined to brownish or yellowish.

Identification.—The size and the plump, less graceful proportions of this squirrel, together with the smaller number of stripes lengthwise, serve to separate this animal from the chipmunks. The presence of stripes distinguishes it from the Douglas squirrel.

Voice.—A call note is given like tseeup, or tseek.

Occurrence.—Occurs all around the mountain (except on the west side) between altitudes of 2,500 and 7,000 feet.

Remarks.—Ordinarily the mantled ground squirrel is not conspicuous, as he does not possess the vivacity or sprightly personality of the chipmunk. On the contrary he is inclined to be somewhat corpulent and of phlegmatic disposition. He quickly becomes accustomed to human society, and likes nothing better than a chance to filch food fragments from campers' supplies. Not uncommonly noted about Longmire Springs and Paradise Valley.

CONY.

Size.—About that of a rat.

General color.—Brownish gray.

Identification.—The cony is a small grayish-brown rabbitlike animal, lacking any visible tail and possessing large round ears.

Voice.—The call note most often beard may be rendered enk. This call is subject to considerable variation.

Occurrrence.—Normally occurs in suitable rock slides from 3,000 feet to timber line and a little above, say to 7,000 feet.

Remarks.—No talus slope amid the inspiring and vivifying influence of timber line scenery would be complete in the absence of the "cony that lives in the rocks." In spite of the fact that conies are soft-bodied, delicate creatures and must furnish, occasionally, a delicious morsel for the ever-active marten, weasel, coyote, or eagle, they seem to thrive well in their unusual surroundings. They have taken literally the injunction to make hay while the sun shines. In the late summer and fall, piles of vegetation in various stages of accumulation and drying form a conspicuous feature of cony rock slides.

WHITE-FOOTED MOUSE—DEER MOUSE.

Size.—About that of a house mouse.

General color.—Dark brown above, white below.

Identification.—The comparatively large ears serve to distinguish this mouse from any of the meadow mice or shrews; and the brownish coloration above, with white underparts, separate the deer mouse from the house mouse with its dirty grayish color above and below.

Occurrence.—Throughout the park, at practically all altitudes. Noted on the summit of Mount Rainier.

Remarks.—The white-footed mouse finds congenial surroundings in almost any sort of habitable situation. Since the animals are active only at night, they are seldom seen. In spite of the fact that they become something of a pest in campers' cabins, their bright eyes and agile movements render them not altogether unattractive to park residents.

LARGE-FOOTED MEADOW MOUSE—WATER RAT.

Size.—About three-fourths the size of a brown rat.

General color.—Bluish gray.

Identification.—A shy, bluish-gray creature usually about one-half or three-fourths as large as a full-grown rat, with inconspicuous ears, and no bright colors or conspicuous markings.

Occurrrence.—Usually in the moist park country from 4,500 feet to timber line or above.

Remarks.—This is the largest meadow mouse in the park. Its runways are conspicuous in the moist vegetation of the flower-covered meadows at about 5,000 feet altitude, and the animal itself is not infrequently seen in broad daylight slipping furtively along its trail from burrow to burrow. The animal is very much at home in the water, where if swims and dives with facility. It has often been called water rat by travelers unfamiliar with its true status; and it must be conceded that under ordinary conditions this name would be highly appropriate. It is, however, a very adaptable animal, and is known to live on dry heather hillsides or even among rocks far from water and high above timber line.

RED-BACKED MOUSE.

Size.—Somewhat larger than a house mouse.

General color.—Back broadly reddish; remainder of upper parts a grayish brown, underparts paler.

Identification.—The reddish color of the back suffices to distinguish the red-backed mouse from any of the meadow mice; its small ears and short tail separate it from the white-footed mouse.

Occurrence.—From the park boundaries to nearly 6,000 feet altitude.

Remarks.—If one will quietly walk out into the0 thick timber near Longmire Springs, seat himself in some comfortable place where there are many mossy logs and watch for some minutes, he is almost sure to catch sight of a red-backed mouse. Perhaps a streak and a shadow is about all he will see, but often the mouse will proceed with deliberation sufficient to afford an adequate view. Finally, in all likelihood, the mouse will dodge into a hole in a stump or disappear in a burrow beneath some huge mossy log.