the Mediterranean shores, but I never met with it there 

 in any considerable numbers, in fact I have but little 

 personal acquaintance with the bird in a wild state. I 

 saw a few and shot one in the richest nuptial plumage 

 in the harbour of Santander in May 1876. The old 

 birds on the return passage in spring are generally wide 

 awake and difficult of approach, but in autumn the 

 inexperienced youngsters on their first travels are often 

 stupidly tame and confiding, unless, as is often the case, 

 they are in company with Curlews or Redshanks. The 

 flesh of this bird in autumn is fairly good, although it 

 will not bear comparison with that of the Black-tailed 

 Godwit. At Marseille and Toulon Bar-tailed Godwits 

 appeared constantly on the bills of fare and tables of the 

 hotels as " Becasses," never, to my knowledge, with the 

 legitimate addition of " de Mer." This bird thrives 

 fairly well in captivity, but none of those that I have 

 kept at Li) ford have ever assumed the full nuptial 

 dress. 



