BRITISH BIRDS. 



THE GODWIT. 



BAK-TAILKI) GODWIT, GODWYX, YARWHELP, OR YARWIP. 

 WINTER PLUMAGE. 



(Limosa Rufa, Briss. Barge rou-ssc, Temm.) 



THE weight of this bird is about twelve ounces; 

 length about sixteen inches. Bill four inches long, 

 and bent a little upwards, black at the point, 

 gradually softening into a pale purple towards the 

 base; a whitish streak passes from the bill over 

 each eye: the head, neck, back, scapulars, and 

 coverts, are dingy reddish pale brown, each feather 

 marked down the middle with a dark spot. The 

 fore part of the breast is streaked with black; belly, 

 vent, and tail white, the latter regularly barred 



