156 



MARBLED GODWIT 



249. Limosa fedoa. 19 in. 



Bill long and slightly recurved. Back, wings and tail, 

 rufous, barred with black; rump usually white, with 

 black bars; underparts pale rufous with narrow bars; 

 ead grayish, with black streaks on the crown and 

 ides. Young similar, but whiter below and with few 

 r no bars. These large waders are found in moderately 

 irge flocks both in the interior and on the coast in the 

 ill. They frequent salt marshes on the coast, and the 

 orders of ponds and lakes in the interior. They are 

 luch hunted and are consequently very wary, usually 

 taking wing as soon as anyone appears in sight. They 

 are readily decoyed, and thousands perish annually at 

 the hands of sportsmen. They are known by many 

 names, Marlin and Straight-bill Curlew probably being 

 the most commonly used. 



Range. Breeds in the interior from Iowa north to 

 Saskatchewan. Winters south of the U. S., migrating 

 along both coasts as well as in the interior. 



