230 TOWNSEND'S SURF-BIRD. 



racters sufficient to constitute a sub-genus in immediate connection with 

 Strepsilas, I propose to give it the name of Jiphriza Townsendi, the gene- 

 ric appellation (derived from d^.gos and |*a>) being expressive of the habit of 

 the bird, as indicated in the notice of its discoverer, who appears to me to 

 have the best claim for the specific name. 



Genus III.— STREPSILAS, Illiger. TURNSTONE. 



Bill a little shorter than the head, rather stout, compressed, tapering, 

 straightish, being recurvate in a slight degree; upper mandible with the dor- 

 sal line very slightly concave, the nasal groove extending to the middle, the 

 sides beyond it sloping, the tip depressed and blunted; lower mandible with 

 the angle short, the dorsal line ascending and slightly convex, the sides con- 

 vex, the edges sharp, the tip depressed and blunted. Nostrils sub-basal, 

 linear-oblong, pervious. Head rather small, ovate; neck of ordinary length; 

 body rather full. Feet of moderate length, rather stout; tibia bare at the 

 lower part, and covered with reticulated scales; tarsus roundish, with nume- 

 rous broad anterior scutella; toes four, the first very small and elevated, an- 

 terior toes free to the base, distinctly margined, the inner a little shorter 

 than the outer. Claws rather small, arched, compressed, blunted. Plumage 

 full, soft, rather dense, and glossy. Wings long, pointed, of moderate breadth, 

 first quill longest, inner secondaries elongated. Tail rather short, slightly 

 rounded, of twelve moderately broad feathers. 



