2 12 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 



The eggs are laid during June and are four in number, of a dark olive 

 brown color and are blotched with darker brown. Very frequently the 

 ground color is so dark as to obscure the markings of the eggs. 



The Hudsonian Godwit, Ring-tail Marlin, or American Black-tail 

 Godwit appears to be about evenly distributed over the country ex- 

 cept that portion west of the Rocky Mountains. It associates frequent- 

 ly with the Marbled Godwit, but can always be told from the latter by 

 its smaller size. Godwits are much esteemed as table birds and arecon- 

 tinually sought by gunners. They are very shy and when alarmed 

 will fly at a great altitude. Their flight is strong but not unusually 

 rapid. On alighting they will nearly always elevate their wings above 

 the back just before touching the ground, and then carefully fold them 

 in place. They may be decoyed at times by an imitation of the call 

 which is a gutteral two syllabled whistle. Wooden decoys also some- 

 times cause them to descend to investigate. When necessity compels 

 they can run remarkably fast although their usual walk is very stately 

 and dignified. They are usually found in small flocks either composed 

 only of their own kind or they may be with other birds of the same 

 family. They frequent the muddy banks of inlets, rivers, ponds and 

 marshes from which they get their supply of food. This consists 

 mainly of minute shell fish, worms and aquatic insects. They get these 

 by probing in the soft mud with their long bill. Frequently they will 

 feed in water of such a depth that they are obliged to immerse their 

 whole head and neck in order to reach the food they seek. They rare- 

 ly swim however unless necessity forces them to save their lives. The 

 little downy covered young take after their parents in athletic ability 

 for they are remarkably adept at running and hiding in the grass. 

 During their migrations they fly chiefly at night and in flocks of forty 

 or fifty individuals. 



TOWHEE 



A. O. U. No. 587 ("Pipjlo erythropthalmus.) 



RANGE. 



The United States and southern Canada east of the Plains. Breed- 

 ing throughout its range and wintering in the southern half of the 

 United States. 



DESCRIPTION. 



Length, 8 in.; extent, 11.5 in.; tail, 3.5 inches. Bill, black. Feet, 

 brown. Eye, red. Adult male. Head, neck, breast, back, wings and 



