SURF-BIRD 925 
of what Pallas had done, called it Scolopax solaris! and in referring 
it to that genus he was followed by Latham (Gen. Synops. iii. p. 156), 
by whom it was introduced to English readers as the “ Caurale Snipe.” 
Thus within a dozen years this bird was referred to three perfectly 
distinct genera, and in those days genera meant much more than 
they do now. Not until 1811 was it recognized as forming a genus 
of its own. ‘This was done by Illiger, whose appellation Hurypyga 
has been generally accepted. 
The Sun-Bittern is about as big as a small Curlew, but with 
much shorter legs and a rather slender, slightly decurved bill, blunt 
at the tip. ‘The wings are moderate, broad and rounded, the tail 
rather long and broad. The head is black with a white stripe over 
and another under each eye, the chin and throat being also white. 
The rest of the plumage is not to be described in a limited space 
otherwise than generally, being variegated with black, brown, chest- 
nut, bay, buff, grey and white—so mottled, speckled and belted 
either in wave-like or zigzag forms as somewhat to resemble certain 
moths. The bay colour forms two conspicuous patches on each 
wing, and also an antepenultimate bar on the tail, behind which is 
a subterminal band of black. ‘The irides are red ; the bill is greenish 
olive; and the legs are pale yellow. As in the case of most South- 
American birds, very little is recorded of its habits in freedom, 
except that it frequents the muddy and wooded banks of rivers, 
feeding on small fishes and insects. In captivity it soon becomes 
tame, and has several times made its nest and reared its young, 
which when hatched are clothed with mottled down (Proc. Zool. 
Soc. 1866, p. 76, pl. ix. fig. 1), m the Zoological Gardens, where 
examples are generally to be seen and their plaintive piping heard. 
It ordinarily walks with slow and precise steps, keeping its body in 
a horizontal position, but at times, when excited, it will go through 
a series of fantastic performances, spreading its broad wings and 
tail so as to display their beautiful markings. This species inhabits 
Guiana and the interior of Brazil; but in Colombia and Central 
America occurs a larger and somewhat differently coloured form 
which is known as EF. major. 
For a long while it seemed as if Hwrypyga had no near ally, but, 
on the colonization of New Caledonia by the Irench, an extremely 
curious bird, known as the Kacu (p. 471), was found inhabiting 
most parts of that island, and a few years later the affinity of the 
two forms, though not very close, was made manifest. 
SURF-BIRD,? Audubon’s name, since generally adopted, for 
1 Possibly he saw in the bird’s variegated plumage a resemblance to the 
Painted SNIPES (p. 886). His specific name shews that he must have known how 
the Dutch in Surinam called it. 
2 In thanking the author for this article, I must express my dissent from the 
proposal with which it concludes.—A, N. 
