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FAMILY LIMOSIDjE. 



fTIHE birds of this family may be regarded as an intermediate link between the Snipe (Scolopacidw) and 

 -L the Sandpipers (Tringidw). They are large and powerful, and differ considerably from either of 

 the other groups. 



GENUS LIMOSA (Brisson). 



HE two species inhabiting Australia form quite distinct groups, the one affecting the northern and 

 the other the southern division of the continent. 



LIMOSA MELANUBOIDES (Gould). 



BLACK-TAILED GOD WIT. Genus: Limosa. 



OF this bird we have still much to learn, nothing having been added to our scanty information since 

 Gilbert met with it at Port Essington, where he found it inhabiting shallow muddy swamps and 

 lakes, and associating in tolerably large flocks. He describes the stomach as extremely muscular, such as 

 would be necessary to digest marine insects. 



It is much smaller than its European representative, and differs in other ways, though in respect 

 of habits, actions, and general economy, it doubtless represents its European congener ; undergoing the 

 same seasonal changes of plumage— quietly grey in winter, warmly rufous in summer. 



The winter costume has " Head and all upper surface, greyish-brown, with a small streak of black 

 down the centre of the feathers ; wings, dark brown, shafts white ; base of the primaries and secondaries 

 and tips of the great coverts, white, forming a band when the wing is expanded ; upper tail coverts, white, 

 forming a conspicuous mark ; tail, black, with the exception of the two lateral feathers on each side, which 

 are white at the base and black at the tip ; neck, breast, and flanks, greyish-brown ; abdomen and undertail 

 coverts, white ; irides, brown ; bill, greenish-grey, becoming paler on the sides of the upper mandible ; 

 legs and feet, greenish-grey." [Gould.) 



Total length, 13 inches. 



Habitats : Port Darwin and Port Essington, Rockingham Bay, New South Wales. 



LIMOSA UROPYGIALIS (Gould). 



BARRED-RUMPED GOD WIT. Genus: Limosa. 



HERE we have another instance of an abundant sj)ecies with sociable habits, for it is frequently seen 

 in company with Curlews, Oyster Catchers, and Sandpipers, feeding on the sandy spits and 

 mud-flats left bare by the receding tide. In appearance it so closely assimilates to the Bar-tailed 

 Godwit (Limosa eufa) of Europe, that they would at first seem identical. However, closer investigation 



