126 



PRiECOCIAL GUALLAT011E3 — LIMICOLiE. 



Mr. 11. lirowne mentions meeting v.'ith this bird on the sea-shore of Vancouver 

 Island, and (^uite a number of examples of this species were procured at Sitka, as 

 well as at Kadiak, by Mr. JJischott'. Others were taken by Mr. Bannister at St. 

 Michael's and at Nulato, on the Yukon and at Takehemut by Mr. Dall. 



Eggs of this species (Smitlisonian Collection, 9, 37") obtained by Mr. Dall from 

 near the Yukon Kiver, June Ki, 1S()S, vary greatly in their size, one measuring 1.58 

 by 1.15 inches, the other 1.85 by I.IU inches. They are of an oblong pyriform shape, 

 their ground-color is a drab, strongly tinged with olivaceous, and very generally aud 

 profusely marked with tine sprinklings of suffused spots and dottings. In the 

 smaller example tliese markings are larger and darker. 



Genus AFHRIZA, Audubon. 



Aphrixa, Aud. Orn. Biog. V. 1839, 249 (tyi>e, Tringa virgata, Lath.). 



Char. Similar to Strepsiliu; but the bill quite lUfferent, and much resembling that of the 

 Phivers (Charadriidw), the terminal portion of the cnhuen being much arched, the niidille portion 

 depressed. Tail slightly eniarginate ; lateral margin of the toes more distinct than in Strepsilas, 

 protlucing a broader, more sole-like under-surface. 



A, virgata. 



The single species of -; genus has usually been a-ssociated with the Plovers : but its affinities 

 appear to Ije much nearer to Strepsilas, with which it agrees very closely except in the characters 

 pointed out above. It differs essentially from all the various forms ranged under the Gliaradriidcc 

 ill the completely cleft toes, the large, nearly incumbent hallux, and the generally robust character 

 of the feet, which are even stouter than those of Strepsilas. 



Aphriza virgata. 



THB SUBF BntD. 



Tringa virgata, Gmeu S. N. I. 1788, 674. —Lath. Ind. Orn. II. 1790, 735. 



Aphriza virgata, Guay, Gpii. R. IIL 1847, pi. cxlvii. — Cassin, in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858, 698. — 



Baihd, Cat. N. Am. B. 18.59, no. 509. — Couf.s, Ki-y, 1872, 245 ; Check List, 1873, no. 403 ; 2d 



ed. 1882, no. 594. — RiDow. Norn. N. Am. B. 1881, no. 511. 

 Tringa borealii, Gmei.. S. N. I. 1788, 674. 

 Aphriza Townsendii, Aud. Om. Biog. V. 1839, 249, pi. 428 ; Synop. 1839, 226 ; B. Am. V. 1842, 228, 



pi. 322. 



