126 
THE BLACK-TAILED GODWIT. 
streams wliere there are muddy flats and shallows ; they 
remain with ns during the winter, and depart in April. 
They have a moderately rapid and buoyant flight, very 
like that of the Curlews, for which, no doubt, they are 
frequently mistaken. They walk, for the most part, slowly 
and sedately, tapping and probing the mud as they go in 
search of worms and other small creatures, sometimes in 
company with Sandpipers and other shore birds; occa- 
sionally they run, and when taking wing emit a low modu- 
lated sound, although their usual cry is a shrill whistle. It 
does not appear that they breed in any part of Britain. 
Mr. Thompson notes them as regular autumnal visitants in 
Ireland, where they sometimes remain until the spring ; 
the number varies greatly in different years ; on their first 
arrival they are very tame, and aye easily shot, but they 
soon become more waiy. 
The Black-tailed Godwit (Scolopax, or Limosa cego- 
cephala), sometimes called the Eed or Lesser Godwit, or 
Jadreka Snipe. — This species has a smaller body than the 
foregoing, but both the bill and legs are longer : much 
confusion has arisen among authors with respect to the 
identity of this and the preceding species, from the simi- 
larity of their size, form, plumage, &c., the latter changing 
very considerably in summer and winter, as well as in the 
male and female ; but one permanent mark of distinction 
is indicated by the common name of this bird, in whose 
tail the terminal feathers are invariably black for about 
two- thirds of their length, while in the other species 
they are always barred throughout their whole length 
with black and white. This is a rarer bird with us than 
the bar-tailed species, although it is said to nestle sometimes 
in the fens of the eastern districts of England ; it is rare in 
Scotland, and on the coasts of Ireland appears in autumn 
and winter in very limited numbers. It is said to be ex- 
cellent eating. We know not whether it was this species 
to which Sir Thomas Brown refers, when -writing his notes 
on natural history two hundred years ago, * Godwits are 
taken chiefly on marsh land ; though other parts are not 
without them ; they are accounted the daintiest dish in 
