MARBLED GODWIT. 
167 
obtain a kind of food which would otherwise be imperceptible 
to any other sense. It no doubt likewise varies this fare and 
feeds also upon insects and larvse. These birds arrive on the 
coasts of the Middle States in the month of May, and linger 
on till some time in June. Many, however, at this time have 
already arrived at their ultimate destination in the North, so 
that it is not improbable but some of these Godwits may breed 
in more temperate regions to the west as well as north, select- 
ing the high plains of the Rocky Mountains in situations suffi- 
ciently moist. At all events, they are seen in the lower part of 
Missouri in the course of the spring, but migrate like most 
other waders along the sea-coast in the way to their tropical 
winter quarters. 
The Marbled Godwit in large flocks appears in the salt- 
marshes of Massachusetts about the middle of August, par- 
ticularly towards the eastern extremity of the bay, round 
Chatham and the Vineyard ; their stay is, however, very short, 
and they at the same time, no doubt, visit ' the eastern coast of 
Long Island. On these occasions they assemble by many 
hundreds together, and usually associate with the Short-Billed 
Curlews, they themselves being called Red Curlews, — though 
here they are distinguished also by the name of Doebirds, 
and, being at this season fat, are highly esteemed for the 
table. They are very shy and cautious ; but when once con- 
fused by the fall and cries of any of their companions, great 
destruction may be made among them before they recover 
from the delusion : they thus make repeated circuits round the 
wounded and complaining, and may be enticed within gun- 
shot by imitating their whistling call, after the manner of the 
Curlew. Indeed, without some contrivance of this kind they 
can seldom be approached. 
These birds are abundant in the West, but on the Atlantic coast 
they appear only in small flocks during the spring and autumn 
migrations. They breed from Iowa to Alaska, and winter in Cuba 
and Centra America. 
