The Road-runner 
portrait, but glided off at 
six feet, and proceeded to 
give me an exhibition of 
plain and fancy gliding, 
flopping, tree-dancing, 
and dramatic posturing, 
such as I have never seen 
quite the like of before or 
since. Crouching was 
the favorite attitude, and 
this she accomplished 
either lengthwise or cross¬ 
wise of a limb. If'there 
was room for her tail to 
hang straight down, so 
much the better, for this 
produced a sort of roguish 
peekaboo pose. But if 
there was not room, the 
tail was welcome to stand 
straight up, or any old 
way. 
The mistress seemed 
divided in her mind 
whether to lure or fright¬ 
en me, and so she tried 
both. With the last- 
named effort went a series 
of low grunts, or coos, or 
moans, almost inaudible, 
alternating with a snap¬ 
ping of the mandibles, 
which was quite distinct 
in sound and a little dis¬ 
concerting. Once she came within two feet of me, and I eyed her warily, 
for a tweak from this lady’s bill would be no light matter. But for the 
most part she tried luring, having recourse for the purpose again and again 
to the ground. Here she advanced by little runs, alternating with crouch¬ 
ing postures. Presently she developed the mouse-squeak ruse, feebly and 
tentatively at first, but afterwards sharply and convincingly. Two of 
these performances were accompanied by a slight rolling or treading 
motion, as though she had learnt the game directly from the Long-eared 
Taken in Kern County 
A CELL IN THE CASTLE 
REACHED BY RUNNING ACROSS THE FACE OF THE ROCK 
Photolby the Author 
IH5 
