294 GAME BIRDS, WILD-FOWL AND SHORE BIRDS. 



MARBLED GODWIT {Limosa fedoa). 

 Common or local names: Marlin; Brown Marlin; Red Curlew; Badger Bird. 



Length. — 16 to 22 inches; bill 3.50 to 5.50. 



Adult. — Head and neck pale buff or pale cinnamon, streaked with blackish; 



prevailing color above dull reddish buff, varied with black; a broad 



whitish stripe from bill over eye; a narrow dark stripe below it; 



throat whitish; below pale rufous or buffy, varying in individuals; 



breast, flanks, rump and tail barred with brownish black; bill pinkish, 



black toward tip; legs and feet slaty. 

 Field Marks. — Largest shore bird except the Long-billed Curlew, which it 



resembles in color. Conspicuous by its light reddish tone; bill ciu-ved 



slightly upward. No white 'patch at base of tail. 

 Season. — Now a very rare migrant, formerly more common; May, mid 



July and August. 

 Range. — North America. Breeds from valley of Saskatchewan south to 



North Dakota; winters from southern Lower California, Louisiana, 



Florida and Georgia to Guatemala and Belize; casual in California in 



winter; in migration occurs on Pacific coast north to British Columbia, 



and on Atlantic coast to Maritime Provinces (formerly) and south to 



Lesser Antilles; accidental in Alaska. 



