( 260 ) 



The Great Marbled Godwit, or " Marlin," as our gunners term 

 it, arrives on the shores of Long Island in the month of May : it 

 cannot be said to be an abundant species — still, we observe it visits 

 us regularly every spring and autumn. 



It associates in flocks, and usually passes its time on the shoals 

 and salt marshes ; it is exceedingly watchful, and will not allow 

 of near approach — but when any of their numbers are wounded, 

 their associates hover round them, uttering loud and shrill cries. 

 On such occasions they crowd together, offering an excellent op- 

 portunity for the gunner to secure them. I have shot it from vari- 

 ous points in the South Bay, but have met with far better success 

 on "Pelican Bar," which at low water is a favorable place for pro- 

 curing many other species of marine birds. The flesh of the 

 Marlin is tender and juicy, and is prized as game. 



LIMOSA HUDSONIC A— LATHAM. 



HUDSONIAN GODWIT. 



Limosa Hudsonica, Hudsonian Godwit, Sw. & Rich. 



Hudsonian Godwit, Nutt. Man. 



Hudsonian Godwit, Limosa Hudsonica, Aud. Orn. Biog. 



Specific Character — Bill blackish-brown, at base of lower mandi^ 



ble yellow ; upper parts light brown, marked with dull brown, and 



a few small white spots ; neck all round brownish-gray ; lower 



parts white, largely marked w r ith ferruginous ; basal part of tail 



feathers, and a band crossing the rump, white. Adult with the bill 



slender, blackish toward the tip, lighter at the base, particularly at 



the base of the lower mandible ; a line of brownish-white from the 



bill to the eye ; lower eyelid white ; throat white, spotted with rust 



color ; head and neck brownish-gray ; lower parts white, marked 



with large spots of ferruginous ; under tail coverts barred with 



brownish-black and ferruginous : tail brownish-black, with a white 



band at the base ; a band over the rump ; tips of primary coverts 



and bases of quills white ; upper tail coverts brownish-black — their 



bases white ; upper parts grayish-brown, scapulars marked, with 



