The Surf-bird 



both immatures, on the Santa Barbara beaches. The last seen, August 

 25, 1915, is also the earliest autumnal record for the State. This bird was 

 discovered in company with Snowy Plovers on the dry sand of the upper 

 beach, but it took early occasion to patter down to the water's edge. Here 

 it fed freely with a little group of Western Sandpipers. Its method, how- 

 ever, was altogether different. Instead of the industrious dab, dab, dab of 

 the little pipers, each tiny sand-flea cost the plover a calculated run of 

 several paces and a leisurely stroke. Then followed a quick resumption 

 of the erect posture, and a dignified pause. Once the saucy sea shot a 

 wave past the plover's feet, but the plainsman, instead of taking to wing, 

 back-pedalled with astonishing agility. This reverse motion of the legs 

 was rather a revelation of the bird's powers, making it comparable in its 

 realm to the hummingbird, which is, so far as I know, the only bird that 

 can fly backward. 



After this exhibition our hero retired upbeach, squatted down upon 

 the warm sand facing the wind, and took a sound snooze — while we 

 bewailed the absent Graflex. 



No. 261 



Surf-Bird 



A. 0. U. No. 282. Aphriza virgata (Gmelin). 



Description. — Adults in summer: Above chiefly black, edged and streaked with 

 white, in finest pattern on head and neck; on crown and cervix faintly streaked and 

 edged with pale cinnamon; on scapulars and tertials broadly and heavily marked with 

 cinnamon (the dominating color in highest plumage, but always sharply varied by 

 black); wings grayish dusky, the greater coverts sharply tipped with white; secondaries 

 extensively white, and the primaries white basally, their shafts white throughout; 

 upper tail-coverts white-tipped, forming with the covered bases of the tail-feathers a 

 sharply contrasting patch of white; remaining portion of tail black, narrowly tipped 

 with white; below white, streaked and spotted with dusky, finely and narrowly on chin 

 and throat, broadly and heavily on breast (where also tinged more or less with gray 

 except in highest plumage), sparingly but sharply and broadly on flanks and under 

 tail-coverts; axillars and lining of wings white. Bill black, flesh-colored at base of 

 lower mandible; feet and legs greenish yellow. In winter: General pattern of plumage 

 blended, nearly uniform grayish dusky above and on breast (but retaining definite 

 white of wing- and tail-coverts as before) ; streaks of dusky persistent on sides of head, 

 chin, and throat, upper belly, crissum, and on lower sides. Measurements (av. of 

 17 specimens): length 278.4 (10.96); wing 165.3 (6-5 1 ); tail 70 (2.756); bill 24 (.945); 

 tarsus 31.4 (1.24). 



Recognition Marks. — Robin size. General streakiness with short bill, white 

 rump, and white wing-patch distinctive, as compared with Heteroscelus incanus; 

 larger size and less heavy coloration, as compared with Arenaria melanocephala. 

 Inhabits rocks and lives close to water's edge, so not likely to be confused with species 

 other than those named. 



Nests and Eggs unknown. 



1333 



