100 The Birds of Pembrokeshtre. 
BAR-TAILED GODWIT, Zimosa /aponica.—An autumn visitor ; 
to be seen occasionally on its passage northwards in the spring, 
when it is in its bright chestnut breeding plumage. This species 
is not uncommon on the sands and mud-flats around the coast 
in September, when all the birds are in their ash-grey winter 
plumage, some few of the adults still retaining a few of the 
rufous feathers upon the breast. Mr. Tracy states that it was 
common in his time around Pembroke ; Sir Hugh Owen has 
met with it in small flocks on Goodwick sands, and Mr. C. 
Jefferys, of Tenby, has informed us of one that was shot on the 
south sands there in September, 1889. On their first arrival 
the Godwits are very tame, and the flocks will permit the gunner 
to walk up to them where they are feeding on the ooze in a 
straggling line; the outer birds will run in towards the main 
body on his approach, and the compact mass of birds will afford 
the chance of a successful shot. We have, ourselves, had great 
sport on many occasions on the mud-flats of the North Devon 
rivers, and as these birds are excellent for the table we always 
found them to be greatly appreciated by the friends among 
whom we distributed our spoils. The Bar-tailed Godwit nests 
in the far north of Lapland, &c., and well authenticated eggs are 
scarce in collections. 
BLACK-TAILED GODWIT, Zimosa cegocephalan—An occasional 
autumn visitor ; rare. This is a bird with rather longer legs and 
bill than the Bar-tailed Godwit, and although it was formerly one 
of the waders that each spring visited the fen districts in the 
east of England to nest it is now everywhere scarce, and only an 
uncertain visitor either in the spring or autumn. Mr. Tracy 
merely remarks that it is “scarce,” without giving particulars of 
occurrences. It is included by Mr. Mathias in his list, and Sir 
Hugh Owen informs us that he has shot it at Goodwick. 
WHIMBREL, Wumenius pheopus.—A passing migrant ; seen on the 
coasts in May and again in September when it is passing South- 
Common. Mr. Tracy writes: “I strongly suspect this bird 
breeds in the county, but I have been unable to find its eggs 
