194 
BtACIC-TAILED GODWIT. 
white, and contrast with the deep black of the ex- 
tremity, from which the common English name has 
been given to it. The form of the tail, when closed, 
appears very slightly forked, or diverging on the out- 
sides, and the black which almost reaches to the 
base, on the centre feathers, is gradually narrowed 
in extent to the outside, and, on the exterior feather, 
scarcely occupies more than half an inch, of the 
end. The long tertials are clear brown, darker 
along the centres, and sometimes more or less varie- 
gated with orange-rod. The greater coverts show 
a white tip, which forms a bar crossing the wing. 
The quills are blackish-brown on the outer webs 
and tips, shading to nearly white on the inner ; the 
shafts of all strong, broad, and yellowish-white. 
The bill is deep blackish-brown at the tip, shading 
to “ fine orange colour at the base;"* the feet and 
legs are blackish-grey. In the winter state, the 
plumage above is pale clove-brown, darker along 
the centres ; and the rufous parts of the head, neck, 
and breast, are of a paler tint of the same colour 
approaching more to white in the centre or fore part 
of the body, and shading into white on the belly, 
vent, and under tail-coverts ; the other parts nearly 
resemble what we have stated as being the summer 
dress. The broods, which assemble in the autumn, 
present birds of various markings, according to cir- 
cumstances of age or of early incubation ; but nearly 
all assume the complete winter dress in a few weeks 
afterwards. 
Selby, ii. p. 99. 
