1916 | Bryant: Habits and Food of the Roadrunner 27 
kinds of insects and reptiles become exceedingly abundant, and the birds have 
less trouble in providing for a family of five than earlier in the season for 
one of three. Only occasionally have I found eggs in different stages of 
incubation, and I do not believe that there was over a week’s difference in 
the time of laying of the eggs in any nests I found. 
No further evidence is at hand that more eggs are laid at a second 
nesting later in the season. In fact, this seems rather improbable. 
There is additional evidence, however, that eggs and young are often 
found in the nest at the same time. Coues (1903, pp. 606-607) states 
that perfectly fresh eggs and newly-hatched young may be found 
together; and by the time the last young are breaking the shell the 
others may be graded up to half the size of the adult. The Finleys 
(1915, p. 162) found a nest in Arizona which contained one fresh 
egg, one egg just ready to hatch, ‘‘two featherless, greasy, black 
young,’’ and two young ones about ready to leave the nest. Moreom 
(1887, p. 41) records the finding of a young roadrunner and two 
eges In which incubation was advanced in a nest in San Gorgonio Pass, 
Riverside County, California, on May 27, 1886. 
”? 
The young are described as ‘‘most hideous’’ in aspect. Their coal- 
black skin and ungainly form combine to make them more or less 
repulsive. When nestlings are disturbed they attempt to frighten 
the intruder by making a clicking noise with their bills. 
The habits of the roadrunner are of peculiar interest. The follow- 
ing account to be found in the report of one of the early exploring 
expeditions (Heermann, 1859, pp. 60-61) emphasizes its speed in 
running: 
We found this bird throughout California, frequenting at times 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 
chaparral, where, swift of foot, it easily evaded pursuit. It may, however, be 
overtaken when followed on horseback over the vast open plains where no 
friendly bush offers the weary bird a shelter. When closely chased, if on an 
elevated point, it will sometimes fly, but always sailing downward. I once 
saw one captured by a couple of dogs, their appetites whetted by recent suc- 
cess in overtaking and bringing down a coyote or prairie wolf. Hotly pressed, 
the bird would gain upon his enemies while sailing down the mountain slope, 
but taking to his feet on the first ascent, this advantage was again soon 
lost, and the fugitive, worn out, fell at length a victim to their relentless 
determination. 
H. W. Henshaw (1876, p. 257) states that the long tail of the 
roadrunner, when running at full speed, is lowered till its end almost 
touches the ground, and that the bird seems to fairly glide over the 
