472 



"NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



Geococcyx californianus, Baird. 



PAISANO; ROAD-RUNNER; CHAPARRAL COCK. 



Saurotliera californiana, Lesson, Complem. Buff. VI, 1829, 420. — Botta, Ann. du Mus. 

 1835, 121, pi. (Cape St. Lucas to San Francisco). Geococajx varicgata, Wagler, Isis, 

 V, 1831, 524. Saurothcra boUce (Blainville), Lesson, Traite d'Orn. I, 1831, 145. 

 Biplopterus viaticus (LiciiT.) Boie, Isis, 1831, 541 (no description). Geococcyx viaticus, 

 Hartlaub, Rev. Zool. 1844, 215. — M'Call, Pr. A. N. Sc. Ill, July, 1847, 234.— 

 Bon. Consp. 1850, 97. — Ib. Consp. Zygod. in Aten. Ital. 1854, 5. — Heermann, J. 

 A. N. Sc. Ph. 2d series, II, 1853, 270. — Newberry, Zool. Cal. and Oregon Route, 

 91, P. R. R. Rep. VI, 1857. Saurothera maryinata, Kaup, Isis, 1832, 991 ; tab. xxvi 

 (fig. of head and foot). Leptostomn longicauda, Swainson, Birds, II, 1837, 325. — 

 Gambel, Pr. A. N. S. I, 1843, 263. Geococcyx mexicanus, Gambel, J. A. N. Sc. 2d 

 series, I, 1849, 215 (not of Gmelin). — Cassin, 111. I, 1855, 213, pi. xxxvi. — Sclater, 

 Catal. 324, 1862. — Heerm. X, S, 59 (nest). Geococcyx californianus, Baird, Birds 

 N. Am. 1858, 73. — Cooper, Orn. Cal. I, 1870, 368. 



Sp. Char. Tail very long ; the lateral feathers much shortest. An erectile crest on 

 the head. A bare skin around and behind the eye. Legs very long and stout. 



All the feathers of the upper parts and wings of a dull metallic olivaceous-green, 

 broadly edged with white near the end. There is, however, a tinge of black in the green 

 along the line of white, which itself is suffused with brown. On the neck the black pre- 

 ponderates. The sides and under surface of the neck have the white feathers streaked 



Geococcyx californianus. 



centrally with black, next to which is a brownish suffusion. The remaining under parts 

 are whitish, immaculate. Primary quills tipped with white, and with a median band 

 across the outer webs. Central tail-feathers olive-brown ; the others clear dark green, 

 all edged, and (except the central two) broadly tipped with white. Top of the head 

 dark blackish-blue. Length, 20 to 23 inches ; wing, about 6.50 ; tail, 12 to 13. Size 

 generally very variable. 



Hab. Middle Texas, New Mexico, and California to Central Mexico. Seen as far 

 north as Fort Reading, California, and Fort Chadbourne, Texas. Localities : Southeast 

 Texas -(Dresser, Ibis, 1865, 466, resident) ; W. Arizona (Coues, P. A. N. S. 1866, 57); 

 Cape St. Lucas (Xantus) ; Kioway Agency (Dr. Palmer). 



