Elk Astron 1955 Ursus americanus may 18 Ahwahnee meadow W of Canyon 7, 4000 ft., Yosemite Valley, Y.N.P., Mariposa Co., Calif. 5:45 p.m. A ? and two young cubs in stand of mixed yellow pine and incense cedar at border of south side meadow. I didn't see them until I heard a series of guttural exhalations and looked up to see the ? and young 50-60 yards away. The ? "addressed" young up to a pine tree (I couldn't hear any sound but she appeared to motion with her head and they immediately responded) and then advanced about 4-5 yards in my direction, giving a few more suppressed growls. I looked up obligingly and observed from a position 75 yards away. The cubs went 30' up the 4-5' thick trunk of the pine. They apparently tried in about 5-8 minutes and looked down together. ? medium-sized, dark reddish brown. The cubs identical in color but lighter brown than female. Young about size of small chicken speckled. The playful activity of cubs continued after they came down tree. They seemed to climb 5-10' up trunks in slow play. ? was near base of tree and twice the cubs would swing from trunk to mother's back. One ride like a horse-rider for a minute or so. The ? took 2-3 steps and the cub rolled off hitting feet first. One playfully dropped its mother. ? removed yoked. Cubs wrestled each other like kittens at one time, repeatedly climbed tree trunks usually right together. Cubs never more than 20-25 feet from ?