410 
BIRDS OF BRITISH BURMAH. 
Length 15 inclies^ tail 3-3^ wing 8^ tarsus 2 'O,, bill from gape 3*5. These 
are the average measurements of a few males shot in Burmah ; the 
females as a rule are larger than the males^ but both sexes vary very much 
in size. 
This species may be recognized from all other Godwits by its pure white 
axillaries. Other species of this genus may be found eventually in Burmah. 
L. lapponica occurs in India_, and has the axillaries white barred with 
blackish grey j L. baueri [L. novm-zealandice), which occurs in Australia 
and throughout Eastern Asia, appears to be^ according to Mr. Dresser^ 
doubtfully distinct from the last_, differing only in the rump and upper 
tail-coverts being more barred ; and L. melanuroides from China differs from 
L. (Egocephala in being of a smaller size and having shorter tarsi. I once 
procured a remarkably small Godwit in Burmah which no doubt belonged 
to this species ; but I regret that on my return to England I could not find 
it among my collections. 
The Black-tailed Godwit appears to be a rare visitor to all parts of the 
Province except Southern Pegu^ where on the Sittang river and the 
numerous tidal creeks running out of it I found it abundant in the winter 
months. I procured one bird so late as the 11th of May on the banks of 
the canal. In Tenasserim^ Mr. Davison obtained only one specimen at 
Moulmein; and Capt. Wardlaw Ramsay states that it is rare in Burmah. 
Mr. Blyth received it from Arrakan. 
It occurs throughout Europe and North Africa and over a great part of 
Asia ; but its eastern limits cannot be defined^ as it has been confounded 
with the smaller L. melanuroides, which inhabits Eastern Siberia_, China_, 
Mongolia and Eastern Asia generally. In winter it retires to high lati- 
tudes^ but many birds seem to breed as far south as Poland. 
This Godwit in many parts occurs in large flocks^ but in Burmah I have 
generally observed it in couples or small flocks not exceeding six birds. 
It frequents sand-banks and the banks of rivers and marshes. 
