102 
THE CONDOR 
Vol. XVIII 
dropped its ball, but the pursuing Gull passed on without stopping to pick 
it up. 
When the big brown birds flew they suggested round-shouldered Ibises 
except that their bills were not curved. In flight they often made a close 
flock calling queep, queep, queep, queep, queep, affording a beautiful sight as 
the light struck them and warmed up the cinnamon wings that make such a 
good recognition mark. They soared down handsomely showing the cinna- 
mon, and as they alighted held their wings straight over their backs for a 
moment, the black shoulder straps showing in strong contrast to the warm 
cinnamon. 
Though the flocks were generally most amicable, occasionally one or two 
of their number would get to scrapping. Two got hold of each other’s bills 
one day and held on, one or both crying lustily. In a group another day two 
came to blows, first just opening their bills at each other and talking argu- 
mentatively. Later one of them made passes at the other till the harried bird 
lifted his wings as if meditating escape, and finally when a pass was made 
at his long unprotected legs, flew away. When one was teased by a 
companion it often cried complainingly, go-way , go-way , go-ivay , go-way. 
In the flocks of brown Godwits, the few gray Willets looked small. They 
fed in the same way as the Godwits though their bills were shorter and they 
could not probe so deep, but they ran their bills ahead of them through the 
wet sand, probed as far as they could reach, and then trotted back before the 
oncoming waves. A thoughtless one sat down just at the edge of the water 
line one day, its back toning in with the sand, its long legs stretched out 
before it; but soon after it was comfortably settled up came the foam and it 
had to bend forward on its tarsus, raise itself, and flee up the beach. I often 
saw one resting, standing on one leg, or sitting at ease with white rump show- 
ing. When stretching, the black of the wings showed effectively as it does 
both when the birds fly up and when they alight with wings raised over the 
back. Willet, willet, they often called as they went. 
One of the most interesting of the beach people from the far north was 
the solitary, preoccupied Surf-bird, with its short bill, spotted upper parts 
and streaked chest. It was social enough in nature, for when resting it was 
almost always with its fellows, as many as thirty-five being seen in a flock. 
And even when hunting it was generally with waders of other species. But 
in its hunting habits it was solitary, only one, two, or three Surf-birds being 
found feeding along the same stretch of beach, apparently because their short 
bill would not admit of their probing for their food, and there was not enough 
washed up by the waves to keep a hungry flock occupied. When six flew 
down on the beach within a rod or two one day, they quickly extended their 
line both ways till they were widely enough spaced to make the crustaceans 
go around. 
The Godwit. sure of being able to dig up something when hungry, follows 
the waves when he feels like it and apparently thinks about something else 
between times ; but the Surf-bird must take what the gods provide at the 
moment, and consequently has an air of attention, a preoccupied expression, 
as, Robin-like, he stands just perceptibly tilted forward on his long legs, watch- 
ing, watching, for what the waves may bring. If his eager eye detects a crusta- 
cean he runs nimbly down the wet sand behind the retreating wave, dips for- 
ward, picks it up, and is erect again all in an instant. 
