The Killdeer 



Cholame flats in San Luis Obispo County. The eternal Killdeer had 

 challenged with the eternal killdeer killdeer dee dee deer. A little search 

 had discovered the four handsome eggs; but the bird covered them so 

 quickly after our remove, and in spite of the fact that I had flung my red 

 bandana down within two feet of the nest, that we had instant visions of 

 photographic possibilities. I stationed myself within twenty feet of the 

 nest, and watched the silent posturings of the female under the boiling 

 noonday sun for nearly an hour. But wait as patiently as I might, she 

 would not come within thirty feet, and she spent more time at fifty. Only 

 one snap did I get on a decoy pose, though a thousand offered at too great 

 range or behind too heavy a screen of grass. In noticing the posturing of 

 the bird I was reminded of the hint dropped by a celebrated animal psy- 

 chologist, who reported that monkeys, when close pressed by larger mem- 

 bers of their tribe, invariably offered sex satisfaction as a ransom. I may 

 be wrong, but it seemed to me that the display of fan-shaped tail, the 

 quivering wings, and the amorous rolling of the bird was rather an erotic 

 invitation than an appeal to the palate. Certainly there is lacking in the 

 Killdeer decoy ruse the consistent carrying out of the broken-wing or 

 broken-leg suggestion. It may also be that the play of this bird was half- 

 hearted, both on account of the extreme heat — she was panting at the time 

 — and my absolute apathy. Finally, in despair, I lay down in the grass to 

 see if the bird ever would come nearer. Judge of my surprise on arousing 

 five minutes later to find her sitting on the nest. As I rose to a sitting pos- 



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Taken in San Luis Obispo County Photo by the Author 



RISING FROM NEST 



AND BREAKING FORTH IN INSTANT PROTEST 



1306 



