THE GODWIT. 339 



the knot is four ounces and a half, length from nine to ten inches, 

 breadth from sixteen to twenty inches. Bill one inch and a 

 quarter, black at the tip, and dusky ash fading into orange to- 

 wards the base. Tongue extends to the very end of the bill, 

 and is sharp and horny at the point. Irides hazel ; from the 

 bill to the eye a dusky line ; over the eye a white one : the top 

 of the head, neck, back, and wings, ash-colour ; lower order of 

 coverts tipped with white, and edged a little way up with the same, 

 making a bar across the wing when extended ; greater quills 

 darker, with white shafts : lower part of the back and tail coverts 

 dark ash-colour, mixed with white, forming spots like crescents : 

 tail ash-celoured ; the under part from the throat to the vent, 

 white, with small dusky spots on the throat and breast ; the sides 

 under the wings, the belly, thighs, and vent, crossed with dusky 

 lines ; ridge of the wing white ; the thighs feathered very nearly 

 to the knee ; the legs are short, in some are blueish ash-colour, 

 in others reddish yellow ; the toes are divided without any mem- 

 brane. These birds, however, like others of the same genus, 

 vary considerably from each other in their appearance at differ- 

 ent seasons of the year, as well as from age and sex. Knots 

 have been observed about lake Baikal, and Mr. Pennant men- 

 tions a specimen which came from New York. 



THE GODWIT 



is taken at the same time, and in the same manner, with the 

 ruffs and knots, and when ready for market, each sells for five 

 shillings and upwards. In the spring and summer it resides in 

 the fens and marshes, where it rears its young and lives upon 



