198 



" 1854. The first nest, containing eggs very slightly incubated, was found on the 3rd of 

 June. 



" 1855, on the other hand, was a very early spring here, and the nesting-time of the birds 

 was in general also much earlier. As is the case with all northern birds, they commence nesting 

 very soon after their arrival. 



" In the nesting-time they choose small open places in the bushes, seldom amongst the 

 bushes themselves, from ten to twenty paces from the water, on the open grass, generally in 

 places which, lying low, are covered with debris left by the annual floods. The four thin-shelled 

 eggs are deposited in a slight depression in the ground, about four inches in diameter, on small 

 bits of rotten wood, pieces of reed, and but seldom leaves, behind a small knot of drift wood, a 

 root, or a slightly elevated piece of ground ; and in one instance, in lack of so slight a protection, 

 a piece of dried cowdung served for this purpose. Returned from our excursions, bringing back 

 the eggs of IAmosa cinerea, taken at the same time in different localities, we could at first scarcely 

 believe that eggs which, in size and colour, so closely resembled those of the Wood-Sandpiper 

 (Totanus glareola) could be the eggs of a Godwit, although Totanus glareola was not seen on the 

 sand-islands, and is indeed of rare occurrence, probably nesting in trees and using the deserted 

 nests of other birds, like its near ally the Green Sandpiper [Totanus ochropus). Only later did 

 we succeed in dispelling our doubts. The eggs resembled those of other Godwits very little, 

 either in form, size, or colour. Only once did we find an egg light ash-grey with darker washy 

 spots. 



" The note of the male, which is probably its pairing-call, is clear, loud, and full from the 

 throat. It is uttered, and often repeated, from a stone, root of a tree, a hillock, or any similar 

 elevated position, the bird moving its body and apparently exerting itself in calling. The note is 

 of three syllables, and sounds like Kuwitzzuu, Kuwitzzzuu, Kuwitzzziiii, or also gizzituud, gizzzui, 

 gizzuid, the last syllable always rising higher and more drawn out ; sometimes a low, flute-like, 

 melancholy note, halriaaa, haiaaa, hahiaaa, is uttered immediately after, when the former call has 

 been often repeated, and contrasts so strongly with it that only a person who knows the note of 

 the Great Black Woodpecker (Picus martins) can imagine the sound. The peasants call the bird, 

 very correctly, after its note, Kuwitri, whereas they scarcely distinguish the other species of long- 

 billed waders, calling them Kuliki. If one approaches the young, which make their presence 

 known by a low chirping, like a mouse creeping through the grass, the parent birds settle on a 

 pole in the fence or the top of a fir tree, and circle round and return again to their elevated 

 perch. When a large bird of prey hove in sight, we heard a continuous note, dick, dick, dick, 

 dick, until it went away." 



Professor Liljeborg writes : — 



" Found at Wajmugskaja and Archangel, in June and July, in places numerous. They 

 frequented the shores of the Dwina and those of the small rivers falling into it, where they were 

 often to be found in company with Totanus hypoleucus. In their flight and motions they much 

 resemble Totanus. If we came near the young, which were hidden in the high grass near the 

 river-banks, and which about the end of June were about half-grown and had straight bills, the 

 parent birds would fly round after the manner of Totanus glareola, uttering loud cries ; the male, 

 however, would not approach so near as the female. I found traces of incubation on the male as 



