BIRDS OF ARGENTINA, PARAGUAY, URUGUAY, AND CHILE 159 



in little flocks, often mingled with other waders that walked or 

 waded through shallow Avater on muddy shores where they probed 

 with their bills for food. 



The specimen taken had molted and renewed the wing feathers 

 and was in winter plumage save for a few old feathers on the back. 



LIMOSA HAEMASTICA (Linnaeus) 



Scoloiiax haemastica Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, vol. 1, 1758, p. 147. 

 (Hudson Bay.) 



A reconsideration of my previous statement-* as to the validity 

 of jNIathews' proposed genus VetoJa for Lhnosci haemastica^ fedoa, 

 and lapponiea confirms my belief that the structural characters in 

 which the four species of godwits differ inter se are too tenuous 

 to warrant division of the genus Lim-osa. 



Save for a record to be mentioned later the Hudsonian godwit 

 was first recorded on November 13, 1920, when four, in winter plum- 

 age, were found with small sandpipers on the tidal flats near the 

 mouth of the Rio Ajo, below Lavalle, Buenos Aires. Two more 

 were seen here on November 15. The species Avas not noted again 

 until March 3, 1921, when tAvo Avere seen along the Laguna del 

 Monte in the outskirts of Guamini, Buenos Aires. Four more Avere 

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

 plumage. On March 5 eight Avere recorded, one only shoAving dis- 

 tinct signs of breeding plumage. On the day following three 

 passed swiftly northward over the lake Avithout pausing to alight, 

 while on March 7 eight Avere seen together and a single bird later, 

 and by a lucky shot I secured one, a male. March 8 tAveh^e that 

 fed in a small bay Avere so slow in rising that I secured three. At 

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

 j)lover. 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 Avere observed in 

 continued field Avork throughout the Avinter range of the species. 

 I was fortunate in seeing these, as by chance I found a spot where 

 they tarried in nortliAvard migration from some point to the south. 



In plain gray winter plumage this gochvit is as inconspicuous and 

 nondescript in appearance as a willet. In general size it suggests 

 a greater yellowlegs but can be distinguished at any distance by its 

 quiet carriage, for it does not practice the constant tilting that is 

 the habit of the yellowlegs. These godwits sought company Avith 

 scattered flocks of stilts or smaller shore birds, and in feeding 

 Avalked rapidly, at times in water nearly to their bodies or again 

 in the shalloAvs. As they moved they probed rapidly and constantly 

 in the mud with a nervous thrusting motion, often with the beak 



28 Bull. Mus. Comp. ZoiJl., vol. 63, August, 1919, pp. 180-182. 



