410 BIRDS OF BRITISH BURMAH. 



Length 15 inches, tail 3'3, wing 8, tarsus 2'9, bill from gape 3*5. These 

 are the average measurements of a few males shot in Burmah ; the 

 females as a rule are larger than the males, but both sexes vary very much 

 in size. 



This species may be recognized from all other Godwits by its pure white 

 axillaries. Other species of this genus may be found eventually in Burmah. 

 L. lapponica occurs in India, and has the axillaries white barred with 

 blackish grey ; L. baueri (L. novce-zealandice). which occurs in Australia 

 and throughout Eastern Asia, appears to be, according to Mr. Dresser, 

 doubtfully distinct from the last, differing only in the rump and upper 

 tail-coverts being more barred ; and L. melanuroides from China differs from 

 L. cegocephala in being of a smaller size and having shorter tarsi. I once 

 procured a remarkably small Godwit in Burmah which no doubt belonged 

 to this species ; but I regret that on my return to England I could not find 

 it among my collections. 



The Black-tailed Godwit appears to be a rare visitor to all parts of the 

 Province except Southern Pegu, where on the Sittang river and the 

 numerous tidal creeks running out of it I found it abundant in the winter 

 months. I procured one bird so late as the llth of May on the banks of 

 the canal. In Tenasserim, Mr. Davison obtained only one specimen at 

 Moulmein ; and Capt. Wardlaw Ramsay states that it is rare in Burmah. 

 Mr. Blyth received it from Arrakan. 



It occurs throughout Europe and North Africa and over a great part of 

 Asia ; but its eastern limits cannot be defined, as it has been confounded 

 with the smaller L. melanuroides , which inhabits Eastern Siberia, China, 

 Mongolia and Eastern Asia generally. In winter it retires to high lati- 

 tudes, but many birds seem to breed as far south as Poland. 



This Godwit in many parts occurs in large flocks, but in Burmah I have 

 generally observed it in couples or small flocks not exceeding six birds. 

 It frequents sand-banks and the banks of rivers and marshes. 



