(Dinosaur) Ornitholestes

This bipedal dinosaur has a small head with a crested nose. It tucks its forearms close to its body and runs swiftly after a low-flying bird, its long tail trailing behind it. As it draws close to its prey, it opens a mouth filled with sharp, conical teeth.

Originally Posted by Shade of the En World forums.  
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The ornitholestes is a swift, bipedal theropod. Its name derives from its ability to snatch birds out of the air. In addition to birds, ornitholestes feed on eggs, lizards, small mammals, and even carrion.

Its forearms end in strong hands with two long clawed fingers and one short one. Although it doesn’t attack with these claws, it can use them to grasp prey as it feeds.

An ornitholestes is about 7 feet long and weighs about 25 pounds.

Dinosaur, Ornitholestes
Medium animal
Hit Dice	2d8+2 (11 hp)
Initiative	+4
Speed	60 ft. (12 squares)
Armor Class	16 (+4 Dexterity, +2 natural), touch 14, flat-footed 12
Base Attack/Grapple	+1/+2
Attack	Bite +2 melee (2d4+1)
Full Attack	Bite +2 melee (2d4+1)
Space/Reach	5 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks	Improved grab
Special Qualities	Low-Light Vision, Scent, sprint, uncanny dodge
Saves	Fort +4, Ref +7, Will +2
Abilities	Strength 12, Dexterity 19, Constitution 12, Intelligence 2, Wisdom 14, Charisma 11
Skills	Balance +8, Hide +9, Jump +13
Feats	Run
Environment	Any plains
Organization	Solitary, pair, or herd (3-12)
Challenge Rating	1
Treasure	None
Alignment	Always neutral
Advancement	3-6 HD (Medium)
Level Adjustment	–

COMBAT

An ornitholestes chases down small, low-flying birds and snatches them out of the air with its jaws.

Improved Grab (Ex): To use this ability, an ornitholestes must hit a Medium or smaller with a bite attack. It can then attempt to start a grapple as a free action without provoking an attack of opportunity.

Sprint (Ex): Once per hour, an ornitholestes can move ten times its normal speed (600 feet) when it makes a charge.

Skills: An ornitholestes has a +4 racial bonus on Balance checks.

Originally appeared in Monstrous Compendium Volume Three: Forgotten Realms Appendix (1989).