LIMICOL^. 329 



as subspecifically distinct, under the name of Limosa rufa uropy- 

 gialis. 



Figures : Gould, Birds of Australia, vi. pi. 29 (winter plumage). 



The Siberian form of the Bar-tailed Godwit was found on the 

 Kurile Islands by Steller (Pallas, Zoogr. Rosso-Asiat. ii. p. 181), and 

 passes the coasts of the Japanese Islands in some numbers in spring 

 and autumn. I have an example from the Kurile Islands collected 

 by Mr. Snow in July. 



Dr. Henderson obtained it at Hakodadi in October 1857 (Cassin, 

 Proc. Acad. Nat. Sc. Philad. 1858, p. 196), and there arc several 

 examples in the Swinhoe collection from Hakodadi (Swinhoe, Ibis, 

 1875, p. 453), and eight in the Pryer collection from Yokohama. It 

 was obtained by the Siebold Expedition probably near Nagasaki 

 (Temminck and Schlegel, Fauna Japonica, Aves, p. 114). 



The Bar-tailed Godwit breeds on the tundras of Lapland and 

 Siberia, visiting the British coasts as well as those of Japan on its 

 migration. Eastern examples differ slightly as described from 

 Western ones. 



332. LIMOSA MELANURA. 

 (BLACK-TAILED GODWIT.) 



Limosa melanura, Leisler, Nachtr. Bechst. Naturg. DeutscU. ii. p. 153 (1813). 



The Eastern form of the Black -tailed Godwit has been described 

 as a distinct species, under the name of Limosa melanuroides (Gould, 

 Proc. Zool. Soc. 1846, p. 84) ; but as it intergrades with the Western 

 form it can only be regarded as subspecifically distinct under the 

 name of Limosa melanura melanuroides. 



The Black-tailed Godwit has the terminal portion of the tail- 

 feathers black in strong contrast to the basal half, which is pure 

 white. 



The Eastern form of the Black-tailed Godwit is rather smaller than 

 the European form (wing from carpal joint 7 to 8 instead of 8 to 9 

 inches; tarsus 2^ to 3 instead of 3 to 3| inches). 



Figures : Gould, Birds of Australia, vi. pi. 28 (winter plumage). 



The Siberian form of the Black-tailed Godwit passes in spring and 

 autumn on migration along the Japanese coasts. There is an 

 example in the Swinhoe collection from Hakodadi (Swinhoe, Ibis, 

 1875, p. 453), and six in the Pryer collection from Yokohama. The 



