Bears of course have long since disappeared but still have left their reputation among old mountaineers. The story goes that a bear, perhaps the last one, was killed at Bear Flats on the trail to “Old Baldy,” hence the name.
Odocoileus hemionus californicus. (Caton.) California Mule Deer. Fairly common through Upper Sonoran and Transition zones. They have been taken as low as the mouth of San Dimas canyon. The recently established game preserve assures an increase in the future. Already they seem to have sensed the protection for on May 19, 1916, we were surprised to find just 75 feet before us a large doe on the auto road not far above the first power house.
Ovis canadensis nelsoni? C. M. Merriam. Merriam Desert Bighorn. Mountain sheep have lived for years in the higher peaks above Claremont but being very shy and in inaccessible and little frequented parts have escaped attention very successfully. Rumor has it that Mountain Goats are found with the sheep but I believe this to be unfounded, having been originated probably by the sight of the smaller horned females and young. The area occupied by the sheep is a very definite one and comprises the peaks Ontario, Cucamonga, Telegraph, St. Antonio (“Old Baldy”), and Iron Mountain with their high rocky intervening ridges. Of the points mentioned the first three peaks are the favored ones. I found only a few tracks on Iron Mountain and a rumor of a pair of horns found there some five or eight years ago. “Old Baldy” being too often visited is not a frequented spot for the sheep, serving only as a connecting link to Iron Mountain. However signs around Ontario, Cucamonga and Telegraph peaks are abundant and anyone with a little patience and diligent endeavor can readily see the sheep themselves. They travel often in bands, as many as fifty and in summer keep to the highest places. Where they go in winter is as yet a mystery to me, probably lower into canyon heads for I have never found them on the top during this season. This of course is natural for these peaks practically become great ice mountains dangerous for anything to travel over. Besides grass the food consists of twigs and leaves of Castonapsis sempewirens, several species of Ceanothus, Rhammus croceus californicus, Rhus trilobata and a parsnip Pastinaca sativa.
Citellus beecheyi. Richardson. California Ground Squirrel. Abundant in all parts from brush land to 8,000 feet altitude in suitable localities.
Sciurus griseus anthonyi. Mearns. Anthony Gray Squirrel. Very common in the transition zone. In early spring they start working on pine cones on the mountain tops, gradually coming down to more abundant supplies of food until fall finds them down in the oak belt feeding on acorns. They winter as low as Palmers canyon in some cases.
Entamias Sp. Abundant in the pine belt and as high as the top of “Baldy.” They are good climbers, exceedingly active and bursting with curiosity.
Onychomys torridus ramona. Rhoads. San Bernardino Grasshopper Mouse. But two specimens of this carnivorous mouse were taken in a period of trapping extending over three months. Both specimens were taken on bait consisting of rolled oats and in the same place, east of Indian Hill in the brush. A good many of my specimens were more or less devoured in the traps in this locality, and I strongly suspect this mouse of the crime. Nowhere else were my mice eaten or were any grasshopper mice taken.
Peromyscus maniculatus gambeli. Baird. Gambel White-footed Mouse. This species was one of the most common forms taken, being abundant in the brushy valley and foothills. There is a great deal of color variation in the specimens taken.
Peromyscus boylei rowleyi. (Allen.) Rowley White-footed Mouse. No specimens were trapped in the valley. However these mice were found not uncommon at the mouth of Palmers canyon, just four miles north of Claremont, in the dry brush land. Within the canyon they were common and were taken as high as the top of Ontario peak along fallen logs. At Camp Baldy they are very common especially along watercourses and fallen logs. Indications are that they ignore zonal limits being taken well down in Lower Sonoran zone and in high transition and not necessarily near water.