666 THE MARBLED r.ODWIT. 



The birds ciccasionally occur in CDnsiilcrablc llncks nf their nwn kind, wliicli 

 deploy and feed silently at the water's edge: but ottener single individuals, or 

 perhaps a half dozen, are found associated with Western Sandpipers or Seini- 

 palmated Plovers. In the latter case they may be readily distinguished by 

 their larger size, and, in the fall, by their lighter cnlnr. At high tide they 

 sometimes resort to kelp-beds or log-booms, and they are pretty likely to oc- 

 cur, also, along the gravelly shores of the Columbia and Sn;ike Rivers. 



Sanderlings appear to be \-ery graceful birds, wlien their nioxements are 

 unconstrained by the knowledge of man's presence. When aijproached, how- 

 ever, the flock will stand silent, viewing your actions w ith grave regard. E\'en 

 tho partially reassured as to your intent, their remaining movements are apt 

 to be halting — with only one eye spared for bug-catcliing; and the strain is 

 relieved only when the whole company takes sudden llight with sharp whist- 

 ling cries; 



"Friend, if friend you be. 

 The world is wide, 

 If you tent here. — 



Whv ^'onder does for me." 



No. 268. 



MARBLED GODWIT. 



A, O. U. No. 240. Limosa fedoa (Linn.). 



Synonyms. — Brown M.\ki,ix, Common ]\L\ri.in. Spikic-billEd CfRLi-w. 



Description. — .-Idull: Ceneral color pale cinnamon or ochraceous-buft : the 

 head and neck all around streaked and s|)otte(l with brownish dusky; the back, 

 etc., heavilv and irregularly barred with the same. — a typical feather from the 

 scapulars has a broad dusky center shaped like a dandelion leaf, the comple- 

 mentarv s])aces being ochraceous-buiT, or irregularly white ; the primary coverts, 

 and outer webs of three outer primaries brownish dusky ; the breast ( especially 

 on sides), the sides, flanks, and lower tail-coverts, with fine wavy bars of dusky; 

 the superciliary line and throat immaculate ; the axillars and lining of wings 

 darker, — say pale cinnamon-rufous; bill, slightly upturned, yellow at base, black- 

 ening toward tip; feet and legs blackish. Immature: Similar to adult, but 

 immaculate on breast ; sides and flanks less distinctly and extensively barred. 

 Length 16.50-21.00 (419.1-533.4 ) ; wing 9.15 (232,4); tail 3.13 ( 70.5 ) ; bill 4.28 

 (108,-): tarsu'- 2.74 ('6(),6). 



Recosnition Marks. — Crow size; large size; long, slightly upturned bill; 

 pale cinnamon coloration; "marbled" appearance of upperparts. 



Nesting. — Not known to breed in Washington, Nest: on the ground, Eygs: 

 T, or 4. li,ght olive-brown, finely s])eckled and sjiotted with dark brown and purplish 

 gray, Av. size. 2,18x1,64 (35.4x41,7), 



