172 FEATHERED GAME 



primaries are white-margined. Below every- 

 where white, on the throat and neck faintly and 

 irregularly streaked, and on the flanks marked 

 with wavv bars, of black. 



THE GREAT MARBLED GODWIT. 



(Limosa fedoa.) 



With the exception of the '' sickle-billed cur- 

 lew" this is the largest of our shore-birds. 

 This species is mainly found in the interior 

 through the central portions of the continent 

 where usually its migratory flights are made, 

 and, except well to the southward, it is not com- 

 mon along the Atlantic coast ; especially rare on 

 New England's shores. 



The bird looks like an overgrown ''brown- 

 back" with his red color and long, snipe-like bill. 

 The wings are ample, extending well beyond the 

 short, square-cut tail. He is a big fellow, meas- 

 uring from seventeen to twenty inches in length, 

 and having a spread of wings varying from 

 thirty-three to thirty-seven inches. His general 

 color is a light brownish red, everywhere on the 

 back this shade showing on the edges and tips 

 of the feathers, the central field of each being 



