OTHER SNIPES AND SANDPIPERS 299 



cured. It is found with the field plover and curlew 

 nesting on the plains, and Dr. Coues says that in its 

 habits at this season it most nearly resembles the cur- 

 lew, and that the two species, of much the same size 

 and general appearance, might readily be mistaken at 

 a distance, where the difference in the bill might not 

 be perceived. The godwit is wild and difficult to ap- 

 proach. It is shot over decoys, and, like many other 

 varieties, these birds return again to the dead and dying 

 after a shot has been fired. They are often called red 

 curlew, straight-billed curlew, marlin, and have other 

 local names. 



V. THE HUDSONIAN GODWIT 



This bird is somewhat smaller than the preceding. 

 It is found upon its migration about the Eastern coast, 

 but is never abundant. It is found also in the interior, 

 but does not go to the Pacific coast, except in Alaska. 

 I have seen the godwits only in Dakota, and have shot 

 but a few of them, usually without decoys, when in the 

 pursuit of other game. I have approached quite close 

 to them when they were feeding on the margin of 

 ponds in the West, and do not regard them as difficult 

 marks. 



VI. THE GREATER YELLOW-LEGS 

 The greater yellow-legs and the lesser yellow-legs 

 are identical in pattern and color. A photograph of 

 one would do for the portrait of the other were there 

 nothing to indicate the size. They are different birds, 

 although one might be taken for the young of the 

 other. From their loud, shrill whistle, sounded in 

 notes, often repeated, they are called tattlers, yelpers, 



