“So far as I have observed, this bird rarely takes to wing, but with head lowered and tail nearly horizontal; crouching to the ground, it runs without using its wings, with incredible swiftness; stopping suddenly, its long and beautiful tail is raised and depressed with as much grace as a fan in the hand of an accomplished senorita. “In one of my excursions, I saw a wolf chase a hare (_Lepus texianus_), but was distanced in a few seconds, in the short race, a bird of this species was started, and the wolf in turn tried its fleetness, with the same result very distinctly arrived at. Apparently much disappointed, he looked at me for a moment, with an expression that seemed to say, “I have half a mind to try you;” but he turned off sulkily and trotted away, leaving me quite satisfied with his conclusion. “Pa-i-san-o is the name by which this bird is known to the Mexicans. They hold it in high estimation on account of its enmity to the rattlesnake, which it usually succeeds in killing in fair combat. Notwithstanding that it is by no means deficient in courage, there is scarcely one of the feathered tribe that is so quiet and harmless in its habits. I have never noticed any note except a weak scream, and that very seldom. It is apparently not social, never occurring in flocks, not a wanderer to much extent, and though almost a hermit, is the most pleasing and friendly-looking inhabitant that lives only in the chapparel.” DESCRIPTION AND TECHNICAL OBSERVATIONS. Genus Geococcyx. Wagler, Isis, 1831, p. 524. General form lengthened and rather slender; bill long, straight, strong, compressed, curved at the tip; wings short, rounded; fourth and fifth primaries longest; first short; tail long, graduated; legs long, especially the tibiæ; tarsi covered with wide transverse scales, very distinct in front; toes moderate, covered with scales; claws curved, flattened laterally. An American genus, containing two or three species only, all of which inhabit California, Texas, and Mexico. Geococcyx mexicanus. (Gmelin.) Phasianus mexicanus. Gm., Syst. Nat., II. p. 741. (1788.) Geococcyx variegatus. Wagler, Isis, 1831, p. 524. Diplopterus viaticus. Boie, Isis, 1831, p. 541. “Cuculus viaticus. Licht. Mus. Berol.” Wagler and Boie, as above. Saurothera marginata. Kaup, Isis, 1832, p. 991, pl. 26. Saurothera californiana. Less, Ann. du Mus., Paris, 1835, p. 121, pl. 9. Leptostoma longicauda. Swains., Cab. Cy. Birds, II. p. 325. (1837.) “Saurothera Bottæ. Blainville.” Upupa mexicana. Gm., Syst. Nat., I. p. 467? Form. Head above with elongated, erectile, crest-like feathers. A large bare space around and behind the eye extending towards the occiput; wings short; tail long; legs long, stout; tarsus with about eight or nine wide and strong scales in front. Dimensions. _Male._—Total length of skin, about 22 inches; wing, 6½; tail, 11 inches. _Female_, smaller.