“Often in my wanderings through the _chapparel_ on the Rio Grande, I observed piles of broken snail shells, and always near some hard substance, such as a bone, or hard piece of wood, which had evidently been used in breaking the shells. I made many conjectures as to the probable animal, but never suspected that a bird had left these evidences of its peculiar habits. I heard, also, at times, generally in the morning or evening, a sound very similar to that made by some Woodpeckers, rapidly beating their bills upon an old dry tree. This was also a mystery, as I could find no Woodpeckers near the place where the sound came from. Upon inquiry of a Mexican, I was told that it was the _Paisano_ breaking the snail-shells to get at the snail, which explained at once both the noise and the mutilated shells. I was afterwards so fortunate as to see a bird so occupied. It took the snail in its bill and beat it upon the hard substance, striking faster and faster, until the shell broke. “A few of these birds are to be found on the Rio Nueces. They run with great speed, seldom taking to wing. I have seen them on trees apparently observing the vicinity. I had a young bird of this species, about half-grown, but it refused to eat, and soon died; and I have seen some in coops, and have been informed that they have been tamed. “When approached, this bird runs very swiftly until near cover, when it stops and reconnoitres the intruder, gives its tail a flirt, and away it goes again. “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.