BLACK-TAILED GODWIT. 181 



full summer plumage were shot in a fen near Wisbeach, 

 May 4th., 1850. 



In Cornwall, one was shot at Swanpool, near Falmouth, 

 by Mr. May, December 12th., 1846. In Surrey, it has 

 occurred near Godalming; in Devonshire it has been obtained. 

 In Bedfordshire, at Cardington; also in Derbyshire, one on 

 Sinfin Moor. 



In Orkney it is a rather rare winter bird, during which 

 season it appears in small flocks. 



In Ireland it is an occasional visitant, and has been 

 obtained near Dublin, in October. 



Its haunts in winter are the oozy banks of the larger 

 estuaries, and the mouths of rivers.. 



They arrive in March in the places where they intend to 

 rear their young. They move by night, and then unite in 

 companies of perhaps forty or fifty individuals, but at other 

 times are unsociable among themselves, as well as shy, 

 excepting when interested for their brood, whom they endeavour 

 to obtain security for by flying about any intruder. The 

 young birds shew great dexterity in hiding themselves. 



They are highly esteemed for the table, and are both shot 

 and taken in snares. 



'In flight it opens its pointed wings at full length, and 

 beats the air in regular succession; but when hurried, its 

 wings are only half opened, and the strokes become very 

 quick, whereby its speed is very much, increased. Its walk 

 is not unlike that of the Stork, and when at rest, it invariably 

 stands on one leg.' When asleep, it generally 'puts its head 

 under its wing.' 



The G-odwit feeds on insects and their larvae, and worms, 

 obtained by boring in the soft sand and mud with its long 

 bill, not only when the surface is uncovered, but also under 

 the water, immersing the head for the purpose. It follows 

 its vocation early in the morning and late in the evening, 

 and, of course, longer during moonlight nights. 



The note has been compared to the syllables 'grutto, 

 grutto, grutto.' 



About the beginning of April they arrive at their nesting- 

 places, and begin to lay early in May, in the rough parts 

 of swamps, and low meadows near water, the nest being 

 composed of dry grass, and other wild plants, and hidden 

 among any coarse herbage. 



The eggs are four in number, of a deep green or light 



