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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 fii'ght 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, occasi?onally 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-way, 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 enougl? 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 witk 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 tkeir 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 ?vithin a rod or two one day, they quickly extended their line both ways till they were widely enougk 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 ?noment, 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.