BLACK-TAILED GODWIT. 637 



near Buckenham ferry, and at Thurne Mouth near 

 Oby. 



Its flight in the breeding season resembles that of the 

 Redshank, like which bird it at that time flies round any 

 intruder in the marsh, but in more distant circles and much 

 higher in the air. It is called provincially " Shrieker," but 

 its note, though loud, is far from inharmonious. It be- 

 comes more scarce in the breeding season every year. Mr. 

 Hewitson says the Black-tailed Godwits commence laying 

 their eggs early in May. The nest is composed of dry 

 grass and other vegetables, and is concealed amongst the 

 coarse herbage of the swamps and low meadows. Mr. 

 Hoy mentions, that when disturbed, they are clamorous, 

 flying round and vociferating the cry of grutto, grutto, 

 grutto, by which name the bird is known among the coun- 

 try people in Holland. The eggs are four in number, of a 

 light olive brown, blotched and spotted with darker brown, 

 the length two inches two lines by one inch six lines in 

 breadth, and rather pear-shaped. The food of these birds 

 consists of insects and their larvae, worms, and almost any 

 other soft bodied animals. 



The Black-tailed Godwit is only seen in Ireland occa- 

 sionally in autumn, as I learn from my friend, Mr. W. 

 Thompson. It has been obtained in Devonshire ; I have 

 heard of its having been killed at Cardington in Bedford- 

 shire ; and Mr. Bond, who has very kindly furnished me 

 with a list of birds obtained or seen in the vicinity of 

 Kingsbury Reservoir, a large piece of water but a few 

 miles north of London, includes three instances of this 

 species appearing there in spring. Living specimens 

 brought from Holland are frequently to be bought in the 

 London markets, and are amusing pets when kept within a 

 walled garden. This species occurs occasionally in Cam- 



