228 
TOWNSEND’S SURF-BIRD. 
Aphriza Townsendi, Aud. 
PLATE OGOXXII.— Female. 
The remarkable bird here represented, which in form and size bears a con 
siderable resemblance to the Knot, was procured by Mr. Townsend on the 
shores of Cape Disappointment, and proved to be a female. Nothing is 
known as to the habits or range of the species. In order to exhibit its 
characters to the best advantage, I have figured it flying in two different 
aspects. The following note accompanied the specimen sent to me by Mr. 
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 contained fragments of a small black shell-fish which 
adheres to the rocks in this neighbourhood.” 
Townsend’s Surf-bird, Aphriza Townsendi , Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. v. p. 249 
Female, 11 ; wing, 
Cape Disappointment, Columbia river. 
Female. 
Bill a little shorter than the head, rather stout, compressed, tapering, 
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 compressed and bluntish. 
Lower mandible with the angle rather long and narrow, the dorsal line 
ascending and slightly convex, the sides grooved for half their length, con- 
vex toward the end, the tip narrowed but blunt. Nostrils sub-basal, linear 
near the margin. 
Head rather small, ovate, rounded 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 small angular scales all 
round, those on the fore part larger ; toes four, with numerous scutella, the 
