Genus LIMOSA or GODWITS. 



Type LIMOSA MELANURA. 



Limosa of Brisson (1760). — The birds comprising the present 

 genus are closely allied to the preceding group, but appear to 

 differ in the formation of the sternum. In the Godwits the apex 

 of the profile of the keel retreats from the furculum, whilst in the 

 Hard-billed Sandpipers it advances towards it. They are further 

 characterised by having the tarsus scutellated in front, the bill 

 long, slightly recurved, expanded, and hard and smooth at the 

 tip ; and the frontal feathers not extending beyond the gape. 

 The wings are long and pointed, the first quill the longest ; the 

 tail is short and nearly even, and composed of twelve feathers. 

 The tarsus is long and slender, the lower portion of the tibia 

 devoid of feathers. Toes three in front ; one behind articulated ; 

 the claw of the middle toe pectinated. 



This genus is composed of six species and subspecies dis- 

 tributed over the Arctic and temperate portions of the Patearctic 

 and Nearctic regions during summer, but nearly cosmopolitan in 

 winter. Two species are visitors to the British Islands. 



The Godwits are dwellers on the moors and tundras and 

 marshes during summer, the sea coasts during migration time and 

 winter. They are birds of powerful and rapid flight, run and 

 walk with ease, and habitually wade. Their notes are loud and 

 expressive. They subsist on worms, insects, mollusks, etc. Their 

 nests are slight and made on the ground, and their eggs are four 

 in number and spotted. They are monogamous, and more or 

 less sociable and gregarious during winter. 



