2", 
AE NIV Boyix, Field Notes on the Seriema. 295 
the song end abruptly. We rarely saw more than one individual 
at a time. Apparently they move continuously, running away 
at the slightest sound; yet the word run can hardly be used in 
this connection, as there is no visible motion of the body, just a 
graceful glide, at once both swift and deceiving. 
During the early evening is the best time to view them as they 
seem to frequent the larger and more open of the numerous cow- 
paths at this hour. They show great fondness for horses and cattle; 
benefiting, no doubt, by the insects which they disturb. On 
several occasions we had ample opportunity to observe solitary 
specimens which were kept by the natives as pets. It was most 
interesting to watch them feed. On giving one individual the body 
of a large bird, it attempted to swallow the meat whole, but with- 
out success; it then proceeded to tear the flesh by placing it under 
foot and using its bill, but even this failed; finally, taking the body 
firmly in its beak the bird ran a few paces, then reared to full 
height and brought the meat to the earth with considerable force; 
this was repeated until the entire amount was consumed. During 
the whole performance the head and neck feathers were raised and 
lowered in apparent anger. 
The same individual was seen to perform what was either a 
dance or a fight. Nervously jerking its tail and uttering a short 
cluck, the bird ran forward with lowered head at a small tree. 
Suddenly stopping, it struck at the tree with both feet; this was 
repeated a number of times in rapid succession, and with great 
excitement. Then just as abruptly as it had started, the bird 
stopped, raced around the yard and returned once more to renew 
its queer antics. 
In preparing the skins of our specimens, several interesting 
observations were made. There is, of course, no visible crop; 
the gizzard was exceedingly large and usually contained a varied 
assortment of food which, perhaps owing to the lack of water, was 
rather dry, and easily examined. 
The gizzards of. four specimens showed little or no variation; 
hard beetles, both large and small, together with large locusts, 
formed the greater portion of insect diet; green leaves and grasses 
with a small quantity of hard seeds made up the vegetable food; 
while in one specimen an entire rat, or young cavie, was found. 
