Food. 
Nest, &e. 
96 GRALLATORES. LIMOSA. Gopwit. 
rare visitant, but, from the observations I have been enabled 
to make, it appears to be as regular in its visits as the other, 
though perhaps not so numerous or so generally dispersed ; 
and it has been proved, within these few years past, to be the 
present species which breeds in certain parts of our fens, and 
not the Common Godwit, as had been previously supposed. 
During winter, these birds are sparingly scattered along our 
oozy shores, and at the mouths of our larger rivers, as well 
as in the fenny districts of Lincolnshire and Norfolk ; but 
about the period of their annual movements, they are more 
numerous, and also more widely dispersed, and at this time 
frequently visit the coasts of Northumberland, and other 
northern districts *. 
The food of the Black-tailed Godwit consists of insects and 
worms, obtained by probing the mud and soft sand with its 
long bill; and it is then frequently seen wading tolerably 
deep in the water, immersing the head at intervals, and 
searching the deposit beneath. This habit accounts for the 
great development of that gland, which, as I have before 
observed, appears to secrete a fluid for lubricating and pro- 
tecting the eyes of such birds as are accustomed to have the 
head frequently submerged ; and it accordingly exists to the 
greatest extent in the Order Natatores, or true water birds — 
The species is widely distributed throughout Europe and 
Asia; and if the Hudsonian Godwit of Latham be identical 
with it, is an inhabitant of North America; but, as the de- 
scription of that species is very concise, I quote it with some 
degree of doubt, as it may possibly refer to the Marbled God- 
wit (Limosa Fedoa) of the American continent —The Black- 
tailed Godwit, as before stated, breeds annually in some of 
our fens, making its nest in the thick herbage, and always in 
the vicinity of water. It lays four eggs, of a deep oil-green 
colour, faintly blotched with spots of a darker shade. 
* Whilst writing this account (March 1831), four Godwits were brought 
to me for sale, three of which were of the black-tailed species, and just be- 
ginning to acquire the summer plumage. 
