122 BLACK-TAILED GODWITCUELEW. 



BLACK-TAILED GODWIT (Limosa belgica). 



Once a breeding species, now extinct as such, and visiting 

 our east coast chiefly on autumn and spring migrations. 



Haunts. Marsh- and fen-districts. 



Observation. Distinguish from last by straighter bill and 

 white rump. 



Plumage. Head, neck, and breast rufous, with dark shaft- 

 stripes on crown, and blackish bars on breast ; chin white ; 

 upper parts brown, mottled with black ; primaries and secon- 

 daries nearly black, with white shafts and bases forming con- 

 spicuous white bars in flight ; rump white. Tail-feathers white, 

 broadly banded with black ; under parts white, barred with dusky 

 brown. Bill nearly straight, and longer than in last. Legs and 

 feet blackish. Length 16 in. Female larger and duller. In 

 winter, ash-brown above, and greyer ash below. Young, almost 

 similar to adults in winter plumage. 



Language. Not very loquacious. Its note is a loud "tritte- 

 tue." 



Habits. Generally much like the last. 



Food. Generally much like the last. 



Nidification. Breeds in Europe. 



COMMON CURLEW (Numenius arquata). 



Resident ; more numerous on our coast-lines in autumn and , 

 winter. Breeds in most of the south-western counties, Wales, 

 north of England, Scotland, and Ireland. 



Haunts. Hilly and moorland districts in the breeding 

 season. 



Plumage. Generally reddish ash, mottled with dusky ; under 

 parts pale brown, streaked with dusky brown ; whitish on belly. 

 Tail insignificant, and barred with dark brown and dull white. 

 Bill long, curved down, and dark brown, yellower at base. 

 Legs and feet bluish grey. Length 21 in. Female, rather 

 larger. In winter, plumage paler, and under parts nearly 

 white. Young, similar, but washed with buff below. Nestling : 

 brownish grey above, mottled with sooty black ; lighter grey 

 below. 



Language. A shrill " curlui " or "cour-lie." 



Habits. In disposition very timid, and on the slightest 

 approach of danger is up on the wing flying rapidly, displaying 

 the white triangular rump-patch, and uttering its loud notes. 

 When anxious for its nest it is especially vociferous, and feigns 

 injury to entice the intruder away. Curlews feed at low tide, 

 and as the tide comes in they withdraw inland, flying in wedge- 

 shaped formation. At breeding-time they retire inland to the 

 moors, and remain till modification is over, leaving the non- 

 breeders behind. 



