20 
THE WILSON BULLETIN— March, 1922 
slowly as though saying, “ Much as I’d like to, I dare not,” ac- 
companied by a half-hearted beating of the wings, and a penitent 
creeping about on the ground, like a whipi)ed dog. Such occas- 
ions were rare, however, for the birds were nearly always hungry. 
Jleing very keen of sight, they were able to pick out the 
most distant vultures sailing in the sky, and I was amused one 
day at their concern over several bunches of milkweed-down 
boating by. The birds were distrustful of these new birds of 
])rey, and seemingly could not judge how far away they were. 
But of all the characteristics of the Koad-ruuuer, famed 
through every region where the bird abounds, nothing so excites 
comment as his wonderful ability to run. The immature bird 
1ms an easy loping gait Avhen passing through grass or weeds; 
wlien on the road it is much more regular, and the body swings 
from side to side a trifle. When the bird attains its greatest 
si)eed the tail is much lowered, and the bird seems rather to be 
treading air than pushing its body along, for the feet seem to 
be ahvays ahead of the body of the runner. I have seen a dog of 
the neighborhood chase one of my Koad-runners ; and apparently 
both enjoyed the sport. There was nothing ])articularly strained 
about the Boad-runner’s actions, and he seemed to be keeping 
merely a safe distance. Occasionally he would dive under a large 
weed, to mislead the dog, or perhaps dash under the porch 
through a hole the dog could not enter. 
One bird (apparently an individual trait) was rather pug- 
nacious. My small sister kicked at him one day, while Avearing 
a pair of broAvn sandals. Whenever after that she Avore these 
shoes, the bird tleAV at her in a rage, pecked at the sandals savage- 
ly, and occasionally jumped on her person, and pulled at parts of 
her clothing or the lobe of her ear, so that she learned to respect 
and rather hold at a distance the formidable pet. 
On tlie Avhole, Avhat I have learned of this interesting species 
has so Avhetted my desire to knoAv it more thoroughly that I 
look forAvard eagerly to further acquaiiitaiice Avith it in regions 
similar and otherAvise. 
