176 BRITISH BIRDS' EGGS. 



eggs themselves, though smaller than those of the common 

 bird, possess much of their general appearance. 



THE BROWN LONGBEAK. Macrorhamphus gnseus. This 

 is sometimes called the Brown Snipe. It is properly a na- 

 tive of North America, and reaches as far north as the fur 

 countries, and even to the Arctic Sea, during the season of 

 incubation. With us it is a rare visitant, but has been 

 killed on a few occasions in the southern parts of Britain. 

 In northern Europe also it is only known as a straggler. 

 With regard to its nest, eggs, and habits during the breed- 

 ing season, we are unable to afford information. 



THE BLACK- TAILED GODWIT. Limosa melanura. This 

 species breeds occasionally in the fenny districts of England 

 (Mr. Hewitson specifies the fens of Cambridgeshire and the 

 marshy districts of Norfolk) ; and during the winter it is 

 partially distributed along the oozy shores of the English 

 coast and those of the south of Scotland, yet it is by no 

 means an abundant species. In summer it ranges in its 

 extra-British distribution as far north as Lapland, and breeds 

 in high northern latitudes ; and in its winter dress it has 

 been received from the north of Africa. The nest is placed 

 near water, in swamps and low meadows, and is composed 

 of dry grass and other herbage. The eggs are four in nuin- 



