320 REPTILES AND. BIRDS, 
Wilson’s Snipe (Scolopax Wilsoni?) is a native of America. In 
size it is the same as our Common Snipe. On the prairies of the 
Western continent it is found in immense numbers. — It is strictly 
speaking migratory. ‘The male and female differ slightly in plumage, 
the former having a white breast, while the latter has a brownone. As 
a table delicacy they cannot be surpassed.* 
The Godwit (Zzmosa) is a beautiful bird, of slender make, with 
long legs. It 1s larger than the Woodcock, with a longer beak, this 
Fig 1°4.—Godwits. 
being twice the length of its head, and slender and tapering towards 
the point, which is rather depressed, and slightly curved upwards. 
These birds inhabit the North of Europe, and in the autumn 
regularly visit France and the English coast from Cornwall to the 
north-east extremity of Scotland. They make their nests in meadows 
near the sea, among the grass and rushes, and lay four eggs, very 
large in proportion to the size of the parent. Their flesh is much 
esteemed, and, with the exception of that of the Woodcock and Snipe, 
is undeniably the best among the group of Waders that frequent our 
coast. 
* So numerous are these birds on the Grand Prairie (Illinois) that I have 
frequently killed ten dozen in one day. — Eb. 
The male Godwit is always smaller than the female. Two species | 
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