92 
LIMOSA FEDOA. 
GENUS LII. — LIMOSAf Brisson. 
232. LmoSA FEDOIf TIKIT^L. — SCOLQPAX FEDOAy WILSOJf* 
GREAT MARBLED GODWIT. 
WILSON, PLATE LTI. FIG IV. FEMALE. 
This bird is a transient visitant of our sea coast* 
in spring’ and autumn, to and from its breeding pla«* 
in the north. Our gunners call it the straight-bill?^ 
curlew, and sometimes the red curlew. It is a sh/' 
cautious, and watchful bird ; yet so strongly are th?/ 
attached to each other, that, on wounding one in * 
flock, the rest are immediately arrested in their fligh*' 
making so many circuits over the spot n here it li?* 
fluttering and screaming, that the sportsman oft?” 
rnalves great destruction .among them. Like the curie"'' 
they may also be enticed within shot, by imitating tlieU 
call or ’whistle j but cuii seldom be approached, witbo**^ 
some such manoeuvre. They are much less numero"* 
than the short-billed cmdews, with whom, howev'??' 
they not unfrefpiently associate. They are fou"^ 
among the salt marshes in May, and for some time 1” 
June, and also on their return, in October and Novels' 
ber ■ at which last season they are usually fat, and >” 
high esteem for the table. 
The female of this bird has been described k/ 
several writers as a distinct species from the male ; th? 
chief difference consists in the undulating bars of bla?k 
with which the breast of the male is marked, au^ 
which are wanting in the female. 
The male of the great marbled godwit is ninete?” 
inches long, and thirty-four inches in e.vtent; the bik 
IS nearly six inches in length, a little turned up toward* 
the extremity, irhere it is black, the base is of a piJ” 
purplish flesh colour ; chin and upper part of the throab 
whitish; head and neck, mottled with dusky bro"'" 
and black on a ferruginous ground; breast, barred witk 
wavy lines of black ; back and scapulars black ; marble” 
