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TOWNSEND'S SURF-BIRD. 



Aphriza Townsendi. 



PLATE CCCCXXVIII. Female. 



The remarkable bird here represented, which in form and size 

 bears a considerable resemblance to the Knot, was procured by Dr 

 TowNSEND on the shores of Cape Disappointment, and proved to be a fe- 

 male. Nothing is known as to the habits or range of the species. In 

 order to exhibit its characters to the best advantage, I have figm-ed it 

 flying in two different aspects. The following note accompanied the 

 specimen sent to me by Dr Townsend : — " I shot this bird, the only 

 one I have ever seen, on Cape Disappointment, at the entrance of the 

 Columbia River. It was sitting on the edge of the steep rocks, and 

 the heavy surf frequently dashed its spray over it as it foraged among 

 the retreating waves. When it started, it flew with a quick, jerking 

 motion of its wings, and alighted again at a short distance. It was a 

 female. The stomach was remarkably strong and muscular, and con- 

 tained fragments of a small black shell-fish which adheres to the rocks 

 in this neighbourhood." 



Thinga Townsendi. 



Female. Plate CCCCXXVIII. 



Bill a little shorter than the head, rather stout, compressed, taper- 

 ing, straightish, being recurvate in a slight degree. Upper mandible 

 with the dorsal line straight and a little declinate as far as the middle, 

 then concave, and towards the end convex, the nasal groove extending 

 to near the end, the ridge rather broad and flattened, the tip compres- 

 sed and bluntish. Lower mandible with the angle rather long and nar- 

 row, the dorsal line ascending and slightly convex, the sides grooved 

 for half their length, convex toward the end, the tip narrowed but 

 blunt. Nostrils sub-basal, linear near the margin. 



Head rather small, ovate, roimded in front. Neck of ordinary 

 length. Body rather full. Feet of moderate length, rather stout ; 

 tibia bare at the lower part, and reticulated tarsus roundish, with 



