Stalking Rhody. 954 R finds snake. At 10:45 he discovered a two foot snake by the sidewalk. He merely looked at it curiously as it glided away under a bush. He followed and came out the other side without attacking the snake. This is evidence to support the theory that road-runners attack voluntarily only those creatures that can be swallowed whole. (Except pinkats in defense of nest or young) R turned to the N.E., across the lot and to estates drive, apparently working toward the territory to which he has been followed before. However an approaching motor caused him to take fright, reverse his course and fly to the S.E. A search of 15 minutes failed to locate him. During this I covered the ground where the snake was, and that animal, presumably the same one: a yellow-bellied racer, introduced himself to me by taking a turn or two about my ankles when I nearly stepped on him. I lose R. Snake finds me. R not here. I returned here to see if R had sought refuge here--no results. Decided to see if I could find him in the "N.E.Territory". Found him looking very innocent 40 feet N. of the Robinson fence. He did not even stir when I burst through the bushes upon him and, when offered meat, came tamely and took it from hand, then sat near me for 15 minutes looking off over the canyon to the east. R found. Accepts meat. Lose him again. At the end of that time he dived into the thick undergrowth (mostly poison oak) below him. 20 minute search disclosed nothing but a California jay's nest containing four eggs. Every sound heard in the bushes was made by a smaller bird. R is absolutely noiseless in motion. Even song sparrows make more sound in motion. (Jay's nest). A good guess. A commanding position failed to reveal R's further course. It was assumed that he probably had gone north across the open to the clump of oaks where he and Circe were found a few days ago. R found in a nest. Accordingly I proceeded thence. In the first tree a road-runner was found sitting in an elementary nest. I waited 15 feet from it. The bird came down without fear, picked up a twig 10 feet from me