302 BULLETIN 142, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 



the kaguna del Morte in the outskirts of Guamini, Buenos Aires. Four more 

 were found on March 4, one in brown dress and the others still in winter 

 plumage. On March 5 eight were recorded, one only showing distinct signs 

 of breeding plumage. On the day following three passed swiftly northward 

 over the lake without pausing to alight, while on March 7 eight were seen 

 together and a single bird later, and by a lucky shot I secured one, a male. 

 March 8, 12 that fed in a small bay were so slow in rising that I secured 3. 

 At dusk 12 more came to roost on a mud bar in company with golden plover. 

 Though reported 50 years ago as found in great bands and among the most 

 abundant of shore birds in this region, the small number that I have recorded 

 here are all that were observed in continued field work throughout the winter 

 range of the species. I was fortunate in seeing these, as by chance I found a 

 spot where they tarried in northward migration from some point to the south. 

 The passing of this fine bird must, be a cause for regret among sportsmen 

 and nature lovers alike, to be attributed to the greed of gunners and to the 

 fact that its large size and gregarious habit made it desirable to secure and 

 when opportunity offered easy to kill in large numbers. There is little hope 

 even under the most rigorous protection that the species can regain its former 

 numbers. It would appear that the small number that remain winter mainly 

 in Patagonia, as the species was encountered in any number only when in 

 migration from that region. 



DISTRIBUTION 



Rangy. — North America, chiefly east of the Rocky Mountains to 

 southern South America. Now almost extinct. 



Breeding range. — The only eggs of this species that have been 

 collected were taken at Mackenzie Bay and on the Anderson River, 

 Mackenzie. It has been reported in summer from Alaska (Kenai, 

 Nulato, Ugashik, mouth of the Yukon River, and Point Barrow) ; 

 east to Prince Edward Island and the Magdalen Islands (Audubon) ; 

 but in no case, save the one above mentioned, is there satisfactory 

 evidence of breeding. Preble found it common on the Barren 

 Grounds south of Cape Eskimo, during the early part of August, 

 and it also was noted by him in the country north of York Factor}', 

 in the middle of July. 



Winter range. — The Hudsonian godwit appears to winter only in 

 southern South America. It has been taken or observed at this 

 season in the Falkland Islands (Mare Harbor) ; Argentina (Chubut 

 Valley, Lavalle, Azul, Buenos Aires, and La Plata) ; and Chile 

 (Straits of Magellan, Ancud, and Valparaiso). MacFarlane (1887) 

 reported them as abundant on the coast of Peru (San Juan) on 

 November 9, 1883, but it seems unlikely that they were preparing to 

 winter in that latitude. 



Spring migration. — This species always has been apparently rare 

 on the Atlantic coast in spring and but few records are available. 

 Among these are Maryland, West River, May 6, 1886 (only record 

 for the State); Delaware, Rehoboth, May 8, 190G; and New York, 



