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. I nstead 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. O. U. No. 282. Aphriza virgata (Gmelin). 
Description. — Adults in summer'. Above chiefly black, edged and streaked with 
white, in flnest 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 (6.51); 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 
