214 SNIPE. 



Flats; two of thein were males : in the stomach was gravel, sand, 

 fragments of shells, and several of the Area Nucleus entire. 



The Common Godwit inhabits this kingdom, residing here 

 throughout the year; sometimes found in the fens with the Ruff, 

 and taken promiscuously, by means of a stale bird ; but chiefly met 

 with in the winter on our shores; walking on the open sands, like 

 the Curlew, and feeds on marine insects :* the flesh is, we believe, 

 at present thought very good, but in times past was held in high 

 estimation, according toMoflet;t though, as in the RufF, much may 

 depend on the state of fatness in which it is found. 



This inhabits also various parts of the Old Continent, perhaps far 

 northward, yet we do not find it mentioned by Linnaeus in his Fauna 

 Suecica, athough he admits the Red Species. We trace it towards 

 the south as far at least as Spain, and Gibraltar; and most certainly 

 have seen it represented in various drawings done in India. 



It likewise is fouud in various parts of America ; and is not 

 uncommon at Hudson's Bay, and known there by the name of 

 Wasawuckapeshew.J In some parts of England it is called Yar- 

 whip, and Yarwhelp; in others called Sea- Woodcock. 



23— MEYER'S GODWIT. 



Limosa Meyeri, Tern. Man. d'Orn. 434. Id. Ed. 671. 



LENGTH fifteen inches. Bill four inches, black, with a yel- 

 lowish base ; upper parts of the body grey brown, inclining to ash 

 on the head, and hind part of the neck ; the fore part of the last, 

 and breast ash, crossed with dusky streaks ; the rest of the under 



* Colonel Montagu says, that these birds no longer are taken in the Lincolnshire Fens 

 in the breeding season. — Orn. Diet. Supp. 



f He tells us the price, when he says, " A fat Godwit is so fine and light a meat, that 

 " Noblemen (yea, and Merchants too, by your leave) stick not to buy them at four nobles 

 " a dozen."— Mqffet on Foods, p. 99. J Mr. Hutchins. 



