LIMICOL^E. 



( 257 ) 



SCOLOPACIDJE. 



THE BLACK-TAILED GODWIT. 



Limosa cegocephala. 



The Godwits running by the water's edge. 



JEAN INGELOW. 



LIKE the Euff, the Black-tailed Godwit was in former times 

 plentiful in the fen districts of England, where it bred ; but 

 it is now known there only as a migrant in spring, while 

 passing to its breeding grounds in the north of Europe, and 

 in autumn on its return southwards. It is very rarely seen 

 in Berwickshire, the only instance of its occurrence in the 

 county known to me being that of a specimen which was shot 

 at Dowlaw, near Fast Castle, by Mr. William Cowe about 

 1864, and which is preserved in the collection of Mr. Peter 

 Cowe, Lochton. The Godwit was accounted a great dainty 

 for the table, and birds fattened on bread and milk were, 

 in the time of Pennant, sold for 5s. each. It is classed 

 along with the Ortolan by Cowley in the following lines : 



Nor Ortolans, nor Godwits, nor the rest 

 Of costly names that glorifie a feast. 



VOL. II. 



