ROAD-RUNNER. 133 



and to pry up stones under which snails and in- 

 sects may be in hiding. But the bird takes fruit 

 as well as meat, and frequents corners where the 

 wild grape grows. 



These strange birds are growing more and more 

 scarce each year as we encroach on their hunting- 

 grounds; and unless we teach them' to trust us, 

 none will be left by and by. Perhaps it would be 

 well to place some of their eggs under our hens, 

 to hatch out with the chickens. They are. said to 

 take kindly to the habits of our domestic fowls. 

 A few running with our barn-yard flocks on the 

 edge of the mountain washes might induce the 

 wild road-runners to come and live with us. As 

 they are good layers, we might develop a new 

 breed of fowls! Only the eggs are small, and the 

 birds themselves not pleasant-tasting. 



