238 THE GAME BIRDS AND WILD FOIVL 



known to him in autumn was the 29th of September, and the 

 latest in spring on the 23rd of March. The birds that pass our 

 coasts in spring are mostly adults on their way north to breed, 

 and excessively wary, but in autumn the flocks are mostly com- 

 posed of young birds which are just as remarkably tame. 1 have 

 often been allowed to approach single birds on the mud-flats of 

 the Wash within a few feet without their showing the least alarm, 

 only greeting me with what I should say were expressions of 

 astonishment. Probably I was the first human being they had 

 ever seen. During their sojourn on our shores these birds confine 

 themselves principally to flat coasts, where a considerable area of 

 mud is exposed at low tide. They are very fond of frequenting 

 the little creeks and dykes that intersect salt marshes, and during 

 high water often repair short distances inland to wait for the ebb. 

 The Bar-tailed Godwit during autumn and winter is generally a 

 gregarious species, and sometimes unites into very large flocks at 

 the feeding grounds; but these gatherings are easily dispersed, and 

 the birds split up into parties and often fly off in various direc- 

 tions. Hume records similar habits in the winter quarters of this 

 species in Kurrachee Harbour. It usually walks about the soft 

 muds and marshes, but can, when occasion requires, run with 

 considerable swiftness. Its flight is rapid and often rather un- 

 steady at first, and, hke most Waders, the bird frequently skims 

 for a short distance before it alights. When reposing on some mud- 

 bank the long neck is usually drawn in close to the body, and one leg 

 is often drawn up. This Godwit moves about a good deal at night, 

 and is often taken in the flight nets of the ^^'ash at that time. It 

 wades frequently, but never attempts to swim or dive unless 

 wounded. The food of the Bar-tailed Godwit during autumn and 

 winter consists of insects, crustaceans, snails, and sand-worms. 

 Hume remarks that birds shot in India which he dissected had 

 been feeding on what appeared to be minute acephala: or jelly- 

 fish. In summer the bird subsists largely on insects and their 

 larvee, worms, and possibly ground fruits and berries. The flesh 

 of this species is not very palatable, especially when the birds are 

 shot in winter, or after long residence on tht coast. A young 

 bird, shot soon alter its arrival in our islands in autumn, is in the 

 best condition for the table. The note of this Godwit resembles 



