EL Kardestum 1955 Taricha (torosa) survey Feb. 17 2 mi. S Briceburg, 1900 feet, Morgan Co., Coly. D.O.R.'s and few live adults first encountered near top of Briceburg Grade. Cloacal temp. adult ? on damp pavement 9.1° C. at 8:45 A.M. Air temp. 2" above pavement 9.50° C. Another ? found in service 2 feet from edge of Bear Creek leading toward the creek. It's cloacal 9.20° C. Sky overcast trace of a drizzle. While searching for Hydromantes (40 yards, " of road) I came on a pool 12 x 8 x 18" deep formed by cascading tributary of (Bear Creek) entering from west. Slope 30-40° facing NE. 3 adult ? taken from pool and 3 others (apparent to be ?/2) out of reach. Water temp. 2" below surface 7.9° C. Air temp 9:30 A.M. 10.80° C. over large vegetation. Moss-covered tall (to 30') boulders rim upper half of pool. "Controlled" burning for darkened west of the slope on this side of the canyon but much vegetation (especially bordering creek) still persists. Vegetation types, blue-eye, interior live oak, pepperwood, deer brush. Hydromantes (2) collected here. Also Oreides. Common previously has taken Ensatina & Xantlogena at this site. Continuing down Hwy. 140 we counted 46 D.O.R. Taricha over 1.6 speedometer miles. Pairs of last few days must account for abundance. More encountered Briceburg and Big Merced canyon but no accurate census taken.