162 BRITISH AND EUROPEAN BIRDS* 



There were, too, some God wits, Greenshanks, 



and Tomtits, 

 The last, though small birds, are accounted great wits. 



of the woodcock; upper parts of the body similar to the com- 

 mon snipe. This bird is rarely met with in England. Flesh 

 good. 



The Gallinula, Jack Snipe, Gid, or Jud Cock, is eight 

 inches and a half long; bill about two inches; body variegated. 

 Inhabits this country, Europe, Asia, and America; migrates, 

 none remaining in this country during the breeding season. 



The Limosu, Jadreka Snipe, Lesser Godwit, or Stone Plover 

 is about seventeen inches long; bill four inches. Rarely seen in 

 England. Found in Iceland, and the northern parts of Europe. 



The Totanus, Spotted-Snipe, or Spotted Redshank, is about 

 the size of the greenshank ; head pale ash-colour, with oblong 

 streaks of black; back dusky, varied with triangular spots; 

 wing coverts similarly spotted; beneath white. Found, though 

 rarely^ jn England. 



The GZgocephala, Godwit, Common Godwit, Grey Godwit, 

 Yarwhelp, Yarwip, or Sea Woodcock, weighs from seven to twelve 

 ounces ; length about fifteen inches ; bill long, from three inches 

 and a quarter to upwards of four inches. Head, neck, and 

 upper parts a rusty brown ; but there is considerable variety 

 both in the plumage and the size of this species. Migrates 

 from one part of the island to another: by some naturalists said 

 to leave England in the Spring and to return in September ; 

 but Colonel Montagu informs us that it continues here the 

 whole year, migrating from one part of the country to another. 

 These birds are often taken in Lincolnshire, and fattened for 

 the London market. 



The Cantabrigiensis or Cambridge Godwit is larger than 

 the common Red Shank; it has been shot near Cambridge, but 

 is a very scarce bird. The Canescens or Cinereous Godwit is 



