HUDSONIAN GODWIT. 149 



only be regarded as stragglers, for we learn that in spring it passes 

 up the Mississippi Valley in flocks of considerable size, and has been 

 found nesting in Iowa, Minnesota and Dakota. It was also found by 

 Prof. Macoun "feeding in large flocks along the salt mai'shes at Old 

 Wives Lakes and other points " in Manitoba and the North-West. 



It is a handsome bird, in general appearance resembling the 

 ■Curlews, from which, however, it can readily be distinguished by its 

 straight bill. 



LIMOSA H^MASTICA (Linn.). 

 107. Hudsonian Godwit (251) 



Tail, black, largely white at base, its coverts mostly white; rump, blackish; 

 lining of wings extensively blackish ; under parts in the breeding season intense 

 rufous (chiefly barred) with dusky ; head, neck and upper parts brownish-black, 

 variegated with gray, reddish and usually some whitish speckling; quills, 

 blackish, more or less white at the base. Young and apparentlj' winter speci- 

 mens, much paler, tawny-whitish below, more gray above. Considerably 

 smaller than the foregoing ; about 15 ; wing, 8 or less ; bill, 3^ or less ; tarsus, 

 2| or less. 



Hab. — Eastern North America, and the whole of Middle and ISouth America. 

 Breeds only in the high north. 



Nest, a hollow, lined with leaves and grass. 



Eggs, four, olive-drab with dark spots. 



This species is less abundant than the preceding. It seems to 

 prefer the line of the Atlantic for its migrations, but is also noticed 

 inland in smaller numbers. I have seen it in spring at St. Clair 

 Flats, and also on the shores of Hamilton Bay, where the specimen 

 in my collection was obtained. 



It is not known to breed anywhere within the limits of the United 

 States, and Prof. Macoun, in recording its presence in the North- 

 West, speaks of it as "less abundant than the preceding and more to 

 the north." 



In spring the prevailing color of the plumage is rich chestnut-red, 

 ■crossed with wavy lines of black. In the fall, it is less attractive, 

 being mostly ashy-gray. 



Though not abundant, this species is generally distributed east of 

 the Rocky Mountains. It breeds abundantly on the barren lands of 

 the Arctic Ocean, and on the lower Anderson River region. It 

 associates with the Marbled Godwit, and has the same habits and 

 •characteristics. 



