“In 1846, on the mountains between Monterey and Saltillo, I saw a pair of birds much like these, but much smaller. I observed them for some time, and feel satisfied that they were another species. The snail that seems to form the principal food of these birds is found sticking to almost every bush, and some are literally covered with them.”
In California, this bird was frequently noticed by Dr. Heermann, from whose manuscripts in our possession we have permission to make the following extract:—
“We found this bird throughout California inhabiting the most arid portions of the country. It often crossed our path, or ran before us for a short distance on the road, dashing, when alarmed, immediately into the chapparel, in which its swiftness of foot enabled it to readily elude pursuit. It may, however, be overtaken when followed on horseback over the vast open plains in which it is found, if no friendly bush offers it a shelter. When closely chased, if on an elevated point, it will sometimes fly, but appears to prefer sailing downwards. I once saw a specimen captured by a couple of dogs, their appetites whetted by recent success in overtaking and bringing down a Prairie wolf, or cayote.
“The stomachs of all the specimens that I examined of this bird were filled with the grass-hoppers and large black beetles found on the plains. The nest, built on the branches of the cactus, is formed of loose sticks, thrown negligently together, in the same manner as that of the yellow-billed Cuckoo of the United States (Coccyzus americanus). It contains two large, nearly spherical, white eggs.
“I have never witnessed the following, but was gravely assured of its truth by several old Californians: It is said that this bird, on perceiving the rattlesnake coiled up asleep, will collect the cactus and hedge him around in a circle, out of which he is prevented from escaping by the prickly points opposing him on every side; and becoming enraged, strikes himself, and dies from the effects of his self-inoculated venom.
“This bird is common in Western Texas and on the Rio Grande.”
This remarkable bird has been found in the vicinity of Fort Webster, New Mexico, by Dr. Henry, and was also noticed in that country and in Texas by Mr. Clark, Mr. Schott, and Dr. Kennerly, and in Mexico by Lieut. Couch.
Though neither of the authors above cited have mentioned that this bird devours reptiles as well as insects and snails, that fact is stated by Dr. Gambel in his paper on the Birds of California, in the first volume of the quarto Journal of the Philadelphia Academy, and it is so represented in some spirited sketches by Mr. Arthur Schott, now attached to the United States and Mexican Boundary Surveying party, whose drawings of this bird made in its native wilds are in the possession of our valued friend, Professor Baird, of the Smithsonian Institution. It is probable that although it may prefer insects, other small animals afford suitable food.
Lieut. D. N. Couch, of the U. S. Army, to whom we have been indebted for other valuable contributions, has, with his usual kindness, added to our present article the following interesting notice of this bird as an inhabitant of Northern Mexico:—
“This bird was first met with in Southwestern Texas, near the Rio Grande, where it is called ‘Prairie Cock’ by the inhabitants. Few or no opportunities occurred for me to observe it carefully, until I found myself in the dreary chapparel districts of Tamaulipas, and next beyond the Sierra Madre.