THICK-BILLED PARROT—Family Psittacidse. 
382.1. Rhynchopsitla pachyrhyncha. 16 inches. 
A Mexican bird, casually found north to the Mexican borders 
of the United States. It has a heavy, thick bill; black; and 
the plumage is entirely green, except for the deep red fore¬ 
head and wings at the shoulder; under-coverts of wings yel¬ 
lowish. Their eggs are white and laid in natural cavities of 
trees in the deep forests. 
Order—COCCYGES. 
ROAD-RUNNER. 
385. Geococcyx californicus. 22 inches. 
This curious species is known as the “Chaparral Cock,’ 
“Ground Cuckoo,” “Snake Killer,“ etc. Its upper parts are 
a glossy greenish brown, each feather being edged or fringed 
with white. The tail is very long, broad and graduated, the 
central feathers being much the longest; the feathers being 
tipped with white. They are noted for their swiftness of 
foot, getting over the ground at an astonishing rate, aided 
by their outstretched wings and spread tail, which act as 
aeroplanes. Their legs are long, and they have two toes in 
front and two back. Their food consists of caterpillars, lizards 
and small snakes. 
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