PLOVERS AND SANDPIPERS. 101 



these Godwits are readily distinguished from other 

 Limicoline species on the British coasts by their 

 long and recurved bills. They also present much 

 diversity between summer and winter plumage. 

 The most marked difference is seen in the colour of 

 the underparts, which the present species changes 

 from white in winter to rich chestnut in summer, 

 whilst in the Black-tailed Godwit the chestnut 

 characteristic of the breeding season is confined 

 to the neck and breast. It is only in summer 

 plumage that the tail of the Bar-tailed Godwit is 

 barred ; in winter it is uniform ash-brown. Upon 

 its first arrival on our shores the Bar-tailed Godwit 

 is often remarkably tame, admitting a close 

 approach. It is very fond of frequenting the 

 creeks and dykes that intersect the salt-marshes 

 and muds, and during high water often goes inland 

 a little way to wait for the ebb. The food of this 

 Godwit consists of worms, crustaceans, molluscs, 

 and similar marine creatures. The note resembles 

 the syllables kya-kya-kya, often very persistently 

 repeated as the birds fly up and down the coast. 

 In its quest for food it frequently wades, but never 

 swims nor dives, unless wounded. 



But little is known respecting the nidification of 

 the Bar-tailed Godwit, and its eggs, very rare in 

 collections, have hitherto only been obtained in 

 Lapland. These so closely resemble those of the 

 preceding species, that no known point of distinction 

 can be given. 



