WATER TRAILS OF THE CERISO 



all come in. But here their matings are 

 accomplished, and though they are fearful 

 of so little as a cloud shadow or blown leaf, 

 they contrive to have some playful hours. 

 At the spring the bobcat drops down upon 

 them from the black rock, and the red fox 

 picks them up returning in the dark. By 

 day the hawk and eagle overshadow them, 

 and the coyote has all times and seasons 

 for his own. 



Cattle, when there are any in the Ceriso, 

 drink morning and evening, spending the 

 night on the warm last lighted slopes of 

 neighboring hills, stirring with the peep o' 

 day. In these half wild spotted steers the 

 habits of an earlier lineage persist. It must 

 be long since they have made beds for them- 

 selves, but before lying down they turn 

 themselves round and round as dogs do. 

 They choose bare and stony ground, ex- 

 35 



