GODWITS. 171 



brown, in the central pair of feathers. — Under plumage, chin and 

 belly white ; under tail coverts tinged with rufous, the large lateral 

 feathers barred with dark brown. Neck and breast, pale tawny- 

 buff, the former streaked, the latter crossed by arrow-headed marks 

 of blackish-brown, flanks barred with the same. All the under 

 wing coverts and lining, as well as the long axillaries white, barred 

 with dusky-brown, (female.) The sexes appear alike in plumage : 

 yet some individuals are darker, with narrow, and paler edgings to 

 the feathers. 



Obs. The moult (probably only annual,) takes place immediately 

 after breeding, (in July.) and the plumage appears wholly similar 

 with that of the vernal dress, which preceded it. The head, as in 

 the Plover, is much more curved and elevated than in any other 

 species of this genus. — The slight curve in the bill is wanting in 

 our figure. 



In addition to our account of the Solitary Tatler (Totanus chloro- 

 pygius) ; we remark, that its whistle, uttered when alarmed, or about 

 to fly, is shorter and sharper than that of the Yellow Leg. It is, as 

 we have already described, by no means shy ; habitually solitary ; 

 often nods the head and tail; sometimes uttering a low faint j9€cj9, 

 when watched too assiduously ; and, when satisfied with its prey of 

 insects, which it watches and pursues with eagerness, it frequently, 

 in the manner of the Rail, steals off, and hides so closely in the 

 sedge, as to defy discovery, and will not, on such occasions, rise to 

 flight, however disturbed, till nearly trod upon. 



GODWITS. (LiMosA, Briss. S^c.) 



In these birds the bill is very long, and straight, more or less re- 

 curved from the middle, rather rounded and slender, very soft and 

 flexible throughout, depressed ; dilated, flat, and obtuse at the point ; 

 both mandibles deeply furrowed their whole length. Nostrils in 

 the furrows of the bill, basal, lateral, linear, pervious. Feet and 

 legs, long and slender, with a large naked space above the knee : 

 3 toes before and one behind ; the middle united to the outer toe by 

 a membrane which extends to the 1st articulation ; the hind toe 

 short and slender, touching the ground only at the tip. Wings long 

 and acute ; 1st primary longest. Tail of 12 feathers. 



