BIRDS HUNTED FOR FOOD OR SPORT. 295 



HiSTOEY. 



This is one of the largest shore birds. Only the Long- 

 billed Curlew and the Oyster-catcher equal or exceed the great 

 Godwit in size and weight. Probably it never was very abun- 

 dant on the coast of New England. As it breeds in the interior 

 of the country (formerly as far south as Nebraska, Iowa and 

 Wisconsin at least, and still from northern North Dakota to 

 the valley of the Saskatchewan) its southeasterly fall migration 

 would not be likely to bring it here in large numbers; but a 

 good many individuals formerly migrated almost directly east, 

 and appeared in the Maritime Provinces and in New England, 

 and from there moved down the coast, increasing in number by 

 accessions from the interior until Florida was reached. Ap- 

 parently it also goes almost directly west from its breeding 

 grounds to the Pacific coast. This is a remarkable departure 

 from the usual route of the shore birds, and seems to be unique. 

 Probably this bird's breeding range extends much farther 

 north than its principal summer home, as it has been found 

 both on Hudson Bay and in Alaska. While Wayne states that 

 this species winters as far south as Argentina, the weight of 

 evidence seems to show that it winters mainly farther north. 

 Some individuals winter, or formerly did so, in southern Cal- 

 ifornia, Georgia and Florida. Audubon observed it in great 

 flocks in Florida, but now it rarely is seen except in small 

 companies, or a pair or single individual here and there on the 

 Atlantic coast, and is rare north of Florida. Cape Cod, it is 

 said, was formerly a favorite stopping place, but the bird is 

 very rare there now. 



The following notes indicate its decrease: Passes in spring 

 from Florida along the coast to Massachusetts, in immense 

 flocks (Audubon). In August they appear in large numbers, 

 and many are shot for table (Peabody, Massachusetts, 1839). 

 Around May greater part go north to breed; return in large 

 flocks in August; remain until November (De Kay, New York, 

 1844). Not uncommon spring and autumn (Turnbull, eastern 

 Pennsylvania and New Jersey, 1869). Flocks of from ten or a 

 dozen to one hundred birds in marshes of Massachusetts sea- 



