350 



THE GREAT MARBLED GODW1T. 



THE GREAT MARBLED GODWIT 



The Marbled Godwit is only a transient visitor along the sea coasts 

 of the United States, 

 in the spring and 

 fall, on its way to 

 and from its breed- 

 ing place in the 

 north. According 

 to Richardson, they 

 abound in the sum- 

 mer season in the 

 interior of the fur 

 countries, being 

 particularly plenti- 

 ful on the Saskatch- 

 ewan plains, where 

 it frequents rnarshea 

 and bogs, walking 

 on the surface of 

 the swamp moss, 

 (Sp hagna,) and 

 thrusting down its 

 bill to the nostrils 

 in quest of worms 

 and leeches, which 

 it discovers by the sensitive point of its bill, thus finding means to 

 obtain a kind of food which would otherwise be imperceptible to any 

 other sense. They, no doubt, likewise vary their fare, and feed also 

 upon insects, and larvae. They arrive on the coasts of the Middle 

 States in the month of May, and linger on till some time in June. 

 Many, however, at this time, have already arrived at their ultimate 

 destination in the north, so that it is not improbable but some of 

 these Godwits may breed in more temperate regions to the west as 

 well as north, selecting the high plains of the Rocky Mountains, in 

 situations sufficiently moist. At all events, they are seen in the 

 lower part of Missouri, in the course of the spring, but migrate,, 

 like most other waders, along the sea coast, in the way to their 

 tropical winter quarters. 



The Marbled Godwit, in large flocks, appears in the salt marshes 

 of Massachusetts, about the middle of August, particularly toward? 

 the eastern extremity of the Bay, around Chatham, and the Vine- 

 yard; their stay is, however, very short, and they, at the same time, 

 10 doubt, visit the eastern coast of Long Island. On these occasionM, 

 ihey are assembled by many hundreds together, and usually associate 

 with the Short Billed Curlews, they themselves being called Red Cur- 

 lews; though here they are distinguished by the name of Doe-birds, 

 and, being at this season fat, are highly esteemed for the table. They 



GREAT MARBLED GODWIT. 



