LIMOSA UEOPYGIALIS. 



(Barred-rwnvped Godwit.) 



All the upper surface brownish grey — the centres of the feathers dark, and the edges whitish ; primaries, brown ; rump, upper tail coverts, 

 and tail conspicuously barred with white and brown ; throat and abdomen, white ; neck and breast, brownish grey ; under wing coverts 

 and flanks, barred with brown and white ; tertiaries, edged with white on both webs — the centres, dark brown ; bill, yellow, tipped with 

 brown ; irides, dark brown ; legs, brownish black. 



Length, 17 inches ; wing, 8f ; tail, 3 ; bill, 4i ; tarsus, 2i ; midtoe, 1|. 



The present species is almost identical with the Limosa Rufa of Europe and Asia, but may be at once discriminated by the 

 conspicuous markings or bars on the rump and upper tail coverts, the "Bar-tailed Grodwit" having those portions perfectly white in its winter 

 plumage ; in other respects the birds are quite similar, and the singular variations in the length of the bill in different specimens is observable 

 in the present species, some having that organ much longer than others. It is found, in company with other birds of similar habits, on the 

 sea coast or banks of tidal rivers, where at low water it may be observed walking about in considerable companies in search of its food, which 

 consists of various small marine animals, shell fish, etc. Tasmania and various parts of the coast of New South Wales and Queensland are 

 known to be frequented by it ; and it is not improbable that it is distributed all round our shores. 



