56 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. 



Genus LIMOSA Bhisson. 



Limosa Bbisson, Orn. v, 1760, 261. Type, Spplopax limosa Linn. 



Char. Bill lengthened, exceeding the tarsus, slender, and cvirving gently upwards, 

 grooved to near the tip, the latter not attenuated. Tarsus with transv.rse soutellae before 

 and behind, reticulated laterally. A short basal membrane between the middle and outer 

 toes. BiU much longer than head, nearly equaling tarsi and toes together, curving gently 

 upwards from the base, where it is elevated and compressed, depressed, however, at the 

 end. The grooves on sides of bill and beneath extend nearly to the tip; the tip of the upper 

 mandible is thickened, and extends a little below the lower. The gape is slight, not exceed- 

 ing beyond the base of oulmen'; the feathers on the side of the bill reach forward to about 

 the same point, those on the chin a little farther. Tarsus more than one and one half times 

 the toes, twice the bare part of tibjse; hind toe lengthened; outer toe webbed as tar as end 

 of first joint, inner toe with only a short basal web. Tail short, even, two fifths the wings. 



In some respects the bill of this genus resembles that of Macro- 

 rfiampkus, the chief apparent difference being the upward curve 

 of the one and its straightnees in the other. 



But two species are known to occur in Illinois. Two others 

 are included in the North American fauna, one, Z. limosa 

 (Linn.)— the Black-tailed Godwit— by reason. of its accidental 

 occurrence in Greenland, the other, Z. la/pponica tcmeri (Naum.) 

 — the Pacific Godwit — occurring abundantly on the coasts and 

 islands of Alaska. Since the occurrence of either of these species 

 in Illinois is very unlikely, it is not thought worth while to in- 

 clude them in the following synopsis: 



1. Ii. fedoa. Tail narrowly barred; axlUars and lining of wing ochraoeous. Prevailing color 

 ochraceous, the head and neck streaked, the remaining upper parts barred with brown- 

 ish dusky ; axillars and lining of the wing deep cinnamon-ochre. Wing, 8.6O-9.0O; oulmen, 

 3.50-5.00; tarsus, 2.75-5.00; middle-toe, 1.40. 



2. L. hEemastioa. Tail black, with white base and tip; axillars uniform smoky blackish. 

 Upper tail-ooverts crossed by a wide band of pure white; longer upper tail-coverts, en- 

 tire rump, and axillars, uniform dusky; lining of wing dusky, spotted with white out- 

 wardly. Summer plumage: Beneath.ohestnut barredwith dusky; above, mottlpd black- 

 ish. Winter plumage: Beneath, whitish, without markings, the breast and jugulum gray- 

 ish; above, uniform brownish gray, except rump, upper tail-coverts, and tail. Young: 

 Beneath, light grayish clay-eolor, darker on breast; above, brownish gray, feathers 

 bordered with ochraceous, and somewhat spotted with dusky. Wing, 8.10-8.60; culmen, 

 2.85-3.46; tarsus, 2.25-2.50; middle-toe, 1.15-1.30. 



