MARBLED GODWIT. 1 67 



obtain a kind of food which would otherwise be imperceptible 

 to any other sense. It no doubt likewise varies this fare and 

 feeds also upon insects and larvae. These birds arrive on the 

 coasts of the Middle States in the month of May, and linger 

 on till some time in June. Many, however, at this time have 

 already arrived at their ultimate destination in the North, so 

 that it is not improbable but some of these Godwits may breed 

 in more temperate regions to the west as well as north, select- 

 ing the high plains of the Rocky Mountains in situations suffi- 

 ciently moist. At all events, they are seen in the lower part of 

 Missouri in the course of the spring, but migrate like most 

 other waders along the sea-coast in the way to their tropical 

 winter quarters. 



The Marbled Godwit in large flocks appears in the salt- 

 marshes of Massachusetts about the middle of August, par- 

 ticularly towards the eastern extremity of the bay, round 

 Chatham and the Vineyard ; their stay is, however, very short, 

 and they at the same time, no doubt, visit the eastern coast of 

 Long Island. On these occasions they assemble by many 

 hundreds together, and usually associate with the Short-Billed 

 Curlews, they themselves being called Red Curlews, — though 

 here they are distinguished also by the name of Doebirds, 

 and, being at this season fat, are highly esteemed for the 

 table. They are very shy and cautious ; but when once con- 

 fused by the fall and cries of any of their companions, great 

 destruction may be made among them before they recover 

 from the delusion : they thus make repeated circuits round the 

 wounded and complaining, and may be enticed within gun- 

 shot by imitating their whistling call, after the manner of the 

 Curlew. Indeed, without some contrivance of this kind they 

 can seldom be approached. 



These birds are abundant in the West, but on the Atlantic coast 

 they appear only in small flocks during the spring and autumn 

 migrations. They breed from Iowa to the Saskatchewan, and 

 winter in Central America and southward. 



