GENUS 72. SCOLOPAX. SNIPE. 

 SPECIES 1. SCOLOPAX FEDOA.* 



GREAT MARBLED GOD WIT. 



[Plate LVL Fig. 4. Female.] 



Jlrct. Zool. p. 456, JVo. 371. La Barge rousse de Bale de Hudson, 

 BUFF, vn, 507.- PEALE'S Museum, JV0. 4019.t 



THIS is another transient visitant of our seacoasts in spring 

 and autumn, to and from its breeding place in the north. Our 

 gunners call it the Straight -billed Curlew, and sometimes the 

 Red Curlew. t It is a shy, cautious, and watchful bird; yet so 

 strongly are they attached to each other, that on wounding one 

 in a flock, the rest are immediately arrested in their flight, mak- 

 ing so many circuits over the spot where it lies fluttering and 

 screaming, that the sportsman often makes great destruction 

 among them. Like the Curlew, they may also be enticed with- 

 in shot, by imitating their call or whistle; but can seldom be 

 approached without some such manoeuvre. They are much less 

 numerous than the Short-billed Curlews, with whom, however, 

 they not unfrequently associate. They are found among the 

 salt marshes in May, and for some time in June, and also on 

 their return in October and November; at which last season 

 they are usually fat, and in high esteem for the table. 



The female of this bird having been described by several 

 writers as a distinct species from the male, it has been thought 

 proper to figure the former; the chief difference consists in the 



* This bird belongs to the genus Limosa of Brisson. 



f Scolopax Fedoa, LINN. Syst. td. 10, p. 140, JV . 8. S. hxmantka? Id. p. 147 

 Jfo. 14. EDWARDS, pi. 137, 138 Limosa rv/a, BRISS. v, p. 2l,p/. 25,.%. 1. 

 J It is better known under the name of Merlinc. 



