BurrER.— Notes on the Ornithology of New Zealand. 195 
received from Dr. von Haast some years ago, as a novelty from the south. 
Limosa NOVÆ-ZEALANDIÆ, Gray.—Godwit. 
Captain Mair has contributed something more to the history of this 
migratory wanderer. In my account of the species* I have stated that our 
godwit spends a portion of the year in Siberia, and visits in the course of 
its annual migration the islands of the Indian Archipelago, Polynesia, 
Australia, and New Zealand. Von Middendorff, who met with these birds 
in great numbers in Northern Siberia (74—75? N. lat.) states that they 
appeared there on the 8rd June, and left again in the beginning of August. 
In the months of September and April, Swinhoe observed migratory flocks 
on the coast of Formosa; and during the winter months he met with the 
species again still further south. Von Middendorff found it also in summer 
on the south coast of the Sea of Ochotsk, although it did not appear to 
breed there; and it has likewise been observed in China, Japan, Java, 
Celebes, Timor, Norfolk Island, and the New Hebrides. I have already 
described the manner in which they take their departure from this country, 
at the North Cape, towards the end of March or beginning of April. Rising 
from the beach in a long line and with much clamour, they form into a 
broad semi-circle, deployed forwards, and, mounting high in the air, 
generally take a course due north. Sometimes they rise in a confused 
manner, and, after circling about at a considerable height in the air, return 
to the beach to reform, as it were, their ranks, and then make a fresh start 
on their distant pilgrimage. The departure from any fixed locality usually 
begins on almost the exact date year after year; and for a week or ten days 
after the migration has commenced fresh parties are constantly on the 
wing, the flight generally taking place just after sunset. The main body 
fly in silence, but the straggling birds cry out at intervals, while endea- 
vouring to overtake the flock in advance. Near the North Cape, Captain 
Mair has observed them flying northward in tens of thousands, and always 
in considerable flocks, numbering from 700 to 1,200 birds in each, and the 
wonder is where they all come from. During the period mentioned, this 
excitement of departure is unabated—flocks forming and following each 
other in perpetual succession. Though the greater number of the birds 
migrate, some remain with us during the winter, and it is not unusual, even 
in mid-winter, to see a flock of several hundred consorting together on the 
sand-banks. It has been remarked that at this season they are much 
tamer and more approachable than at other times. On their return to this 
country they do not make a sudden appearance, but gradually become more 
plentiful after the first week in November, and about Christmas they are in 
full force again all along our seashore. Capt. Mair has sometimes observed 
* “Birds of New Zealand,” pp. 199, 200, 
