194 BLACK-TAILED GODWIT. 



white, and contrast with the deep black of the ex- 

 tremity, from which the common English name has 

 been given to it. The form of the tail, when closed, 

 appears very slightly forked, or diverging on the out- 

 sides, and the black which almost reaches to the 

 base, on the centre feathers, is gradually narrowed 

 in extent to the outside, and, on the exterior feather, 

 scarcely occupies more than half an inch t of the 

 end. The long tertials are clear brown, darker 

 along the centres, and sometimes more or less varie- 

 gated with orange-red. The greater coverts show 

 a white tip, which forms a bar crossing the wing. 

 The quills are blackish-brown on the outer webs 

 and tips, shading to nearly white on the inner ; the 

 shafts of all strong, broad, and yellowish-white. 

 The bill is deep blackish-brown at the tip, shading 

 to " fine orange colour at the base;"* the feet and 

 legs are blackish-grey. In the winter state, the 

 plumage above is pale clove-brown, darker along 

 the centres ; and the rufous parts of the head, neck, 

 and breast, are of a paler tint of the same colour 

 approaching more to white in the centre or fore part 

 of the body, and shading into white on the belly, 

 vent, and under tail-coverts ; the other parts nearly 

 resemble what we have stated as being the summer 

 dress. The broods, which assemble in the autumn, 

 present birds of various markings, according to cir- 

 cumstances of age or of early incubation ; but nearly 

 all assume the complete winter dress in a few veeks 

 afterwards. 



* Selby, ii. p. 99. 



