I can see now how useful to him is this ability to roll his eyes about and shift his gaze over a considerable field without moving his head, for it enables him to keep watch over a fairly wide area without revealing his presence. His color scheme fits admirably into local surroundings and he un- doubtedly has great confidence in its protective power, for he did not budge with automobiles passing by in the street 15 or 20 feet away and concentrated on his task single-mindedly. If one knew pre- cisely where to look he could have been seen from almost any place, for he was really much in the open. He was in plain sight of the woman in the car and his image must actually have been on her retina, but I am sure she did not see him consciously, or she would have made some comment while talking to me, as road-runners are not usual- ly seen on city streets. At about 3 P.M. Rhody was seen dodging in and out of the cage and posing for the benefit of the magpies, who watched him phlegmat- ically. He was so interested in this game that he forgot about the meat until he was about finished. When he came out for a drink and then stood about 15 feet from me with his back toward the cage, one of the magpies dropped down to the ground inside and came to the wire, also about 15 feet from him. I called to him, pointing at the same time: "Look, Rhody, now you can catch him." He turned instantly and dashed at the cage with a great display of feathers, just as if he understood both the gesture and the words, and although ones judg- ment insists that he did not, still a feeling is left that he did. I went to the cage and sat in the door near the magpie, but this did not prevent Rhody from continuing his antics even though it necessi- tated his almost stepping on me, nor did he worry about his exit being blocked. I am certain that Brownie, or any of the thrashers, would have felt cornered and been frightened. If I crouch within 3 or 4 feet of Rhody and then stand up, or if