32O REPTILES AND BIRDS. 



Wilson's Snipe (Scolopax Wilsonii) is a native of America. In 

 size it is the same as the 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 brown one. As 

 a table delicacy they cannot be surpassed,* 



The Godwit (Limosd) is a beautiful bird, of slender make, with 

 long legs. It is larger than the Woodcock, with a longer beak, this 



Fig. 124. 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 the 

 coasts of Britain. 



The male Godwit is always smaller than the female. Two species 



* So numerous were these birds on the Grand Prairie (Illinois) that I frequently 

 killed ten dozen in one day. Ep. 



