.Jan., 1913 A GLIMPSE OF SURF-BIRDS 7 engaged in feeding upon the white barnacles which covered the reef. These seemed to form their exclusive diet for the time; and it was interesting to see a bird get a good grip on a reluctant cirriped, then brace and haul him out by main force. It was yeoman service, and many a bill was smeared with bug juice, not to mention "biramous cirri" and other delicate crustacean apparatus. Fig. 4. SURF-BIRDS.' A SANDPIPER POSE From a photograph. copyright. 1913, by W. L- Dawson There were about twenty of the birds, twenty-three to be exact, and one Black Turnstone kept with them most of the time, although he might have found plenty of his own kind not far away. Once the Surf-birds deserted him and left him trembling on the rock; but I was unprepared to utilize the superb pose which l?is lonely plight presented a moment later, and he made off with startled cries. l?ig. 5. SURlY-BIRDS: SHIFT1NG From a photograph. copyright. 1913, by W. I?. Dawson As for the Surf-birds, as often as they were dislodged they retired to a strip of sand a few rods away and fell to gleaning like pipers. On my last sally from the base of supplies I was determined to press advan- tage home. The gulls, who xvould fain have occupied the reef themselves, shrieked warnings when they saw me advancing upon the unsophisticated Surf-
