THE GODWIT. 
125 
The Godwit (Scolopax, or Limosa riifa), often called 
tlie Bar-tailed Godwit, sometimes the Yarwhelp, Stone 
Plover, Poor Willie. — With this bird we enter upon another 
genus, termed by naturalists Limosa ; it contains but two 
British species. Very closely allied to the Curlews, the 
GODWIT. 
Godwits resemble them in outward conformation, and the 
points of difference are mostly such as only the scientific 
naturalist would notice : the long and slender bill, which 
in the former birds has a decided downward curve, is 
nearly straight, having a slight inclination upward; the 
Godwits, too, are smaller, and of more slender make, and 
they differ from the Curlews somewhat in their habits. 
The length of the above-named species is from fifteen to 
seventeen inches, the bill being about four inches long. 
The plumage in winter is pale grey about the head and 
neck, with brownish grey streaks ; the throat, breast, under 
parts, and a broad band under the eye, are pure white ; 
the fore part of the back and scapulars are grey, with a 
central brown streak down each feather ; the hind part of 
the back and tail are white, the latter having eight dusky 
bars. In summer, blackish brown and light yellowish red 
tints prevail over the grey and white. 
The Godwits appear on the British coasts in small flocks 
in the beginning of September, chiefly about the mouths of 
