C. Koford Journal 23 October 1968 (Wed.) Rancho del Nido, S. del Nido, Chik, No other sign since my previous visit, but thought they were in high canyon near the summit ruin. No sign in canyon to L., going toward summit peak (via El Tiñidero) were caves where bears slept. Corrales, the best guide, had left ranch & was working in mines on Rincon del Alamo. No women or children here now, just the 2 men. / I drove 1/2 mile up O. Las Varas & camped at foot Virgin tributary. No water in either stream. But occasional pools in lower del Nido canyon (1/2 mile above houses). On sand in bottom, at hot time of day, I saw snake tracks & followed them to a boulder beneath which was a Cottontail mouse. Not stomach empty. This is first rattler I have seen this month. Like other rattlesnake, but struck repeatedly at stick. Acorn crop very good in lower canyon. But much drier than in mid-August. Otter very active & Enteric active. / Yesterday, about noon, 200 yds. N. of La Cordura highwater, I saw a prairie falcon dive at a native Cooper Hawk. Saw 2 ranch hawker -- ground by a preste. 24 October 1968. Thurs. Cold clear night. / Bernayson in S live trap set; she was pregnant (CBK 3824). Departed up Virgin Canyon at 0815. Creek dry for 50 min.; where branch entered from W., then some running water. 0920, I found old but fresh deer dropping containing nuts & fruit, about 50' flowing from stream or flat among oaks. 0955/6 300' N.E. alt., 4 mi. a pedometer, another deer dropping consisting mainly of twisted plant (leaf of grass?) fibers, + some cones (fungus a; not fed). 1030, 3.3 mi., 6600' i. a., turn S.W. (near cliffs to S.). Many Mexican jays; gps. 6-10 w. yellow box billy. No water in this area. Found many cove rows eaten by deer on under yellow fever. Went shot way up branch to S., (CBK No. 3829) then up main canyon to 1315, 7100', pedon. 9.0 mi. Skto y.-b. reproduction. / Deer -- in shady canyon bottom, one jumped from 20' up in oak to pine trunk & ran up. I fired, and another jumped, horizontally, to ground