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LIMOSA FEDOA (Baird). 



THE MARBLED GODWIT. 



BpecifiG Character. — Bill long, curved upwards ; both mandibJes grooved ; 

 ^ings long; tail short; legs long; tibia with lower half naked; toes rather 

 short, margined and flattened underneath : the outer and middle toes united by 

 a rather large membrane. Entire upper parts variegated with brownish black 

 and pale reddish, the former disposed in irregular and confluent bands, and the 

 latter in spots and imperfect bands ; in many specimens the black colour pre- 

 dominating on the back and the pale red on the rump and upper tail coverts. 

 Under parts pale rufous, with transverse lines of brownish black on the breast 

 and sides ; under wing coverts and axillaries darker rufous ; outer webs of 

 primaries dark brown; inner webs light rufous; secondaries light rufous; tail 

 light rufous with transverse bars of brownish black. Bill dull flesh colour in 

 its basal half, rest blackish brown ; iris brown ; feet bluish gray. 



Total length about 18.00 inches ; wing, 9.00 ; bill, 4.00 to 5.00 ; tarsus, 3.00. 



Habitat — Throughout North America from the Atlantic to the Pacific 

 •coast ; it has not been known to go very far north to breed, but its nests have 

 been found in Ohio, Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, Kansas, etc. ; no record of its 

 breeding in Ontario. The Marbled Godwit is a migratory bird and it is during 

 its fall migrations that it is of interest to Ontario sportsmen, although it is not 

 met with so often now as formerly. It is highly praised as a game bird by epi- 

 . cures, for its flesh is tender and juicy. Its food consists of leeches, worms, larvsa 

 and snails. It winters in Central America and the West Indies. 



