392 



LIMOSA FEDOA (Baird). 

 THE MARBLED GODWIT. 



'Specific Characte7\—BiW lon^, curved upwards ; both inandibJes grooved ; 

 wino-s lono- ; tail short; legs long; tibia wiih lower half naked; toes rather 

 short, margined and flattened underneauh: the outer and middle toes united by 

 a rather large membrane. Endre upper parts variegated with bcownish black 

 and pale reddish, .Aie former disposed in irregul^ • pnd confluent bands, and ^he 

 latter in spots and imperfect bands; ii many .necime-s the black colour pre- 

 dominating on the back and the pale red on the rump and upper tail coverts. 

 Under parts pale rr'^ouS; with traisverse bnes o? brown'sh black on the breast 

 and sides; under wing coverts and ? I'Uai.'^ da ■'"'^i' rufous; outer webs of 

 primaries dark brown; inner webs I'lht rufous; secondarr - li-rh^ rufous; ^ il 

 lioht rufous with transvere bars of o'ownish black. BiU dull flesh colour in 

 its basal half, rest Wackish brown ; iris brown ; feet bluish gray. 



Total length about 18.00 inches; wing, 9.00; bill, 4.00 to 5.00; tarsus, 3.00. 



Habitat. — Throughout North America from ^the Atlantic to the Pacific 

 -coast ; it has nob been known to go vei x^ far north to breed, but its nests have 

 been found in Ohio, Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, Kansas, etc. ; no record of i' ■ 

 breeding in Ontario. The Marbled Godwit is a migratory bird and it is during 

 its fall migrations that it is of interest to Ontario sportsmen, although it is not 

 met with so often now as formerly. It is highly praised as a game bird by epi- 

 cures, for its flesh is tender and juicy. Its food consists of leeches, worms, lai v.© 

 and snails. It winters in Central America and the West Indies. 



