30 
GREAT MARBLED GODWIT. 
LIMOSA FEDOA. 
[Plate LVI. — Fig. 4. — Female,^ 
Arct^ Zool. No. 371, 372, 373.— Xa Barge rousse de la Bate d'Hudson.^ Buff. VII, 507. — 
American Godwity Lath. Syn. 3, p. 142, A'b. 12 . — Marbled Godwity Id. Sup. p. 245, No. 
33 . — Hudsoman GodwitP Id. Sup. p. 246, No, 34 . — La Barge rousse d'Ameriquey Briss. 
Syp. 287, Ab. 7. 
THIS is another transient visitant of our seacoasts in spring 
and autumn, to and from its breeding place in the north. Our 
gunners call it the Straight-billed Curlew^ and sometimes the Red 
Curlew, It is a shy, cautious, and watchful bird ; yet so strongly 
are they attached to each other, that on wounding one in a flock, 
the rest are immediately arrested in their flight, making so many 
circuits over the spot where it lies fluttering and screaming, that 
the sportsman often makes great destruction among them. Like 
the Curlew, they may also be enticed within shot, by imitating 
their call or whistle ; but can seldom be approached without some 
such manoeuvre. They are much less numerous than the Short- 
billed Curlews, with whom, however, they not unfrequently asso- 
ciate. They are found among the salt marshes in May, and for 
some time in June, and also on their return in October and No- 
vember; at which last season they are usually fat, and in high es- 
teem for the table. 
The female of this bird having been described by several 
writers as a distinct species from the male, it has been thought 
proper to figure the former ; the chief difference consists in the 
undulating bars of black with which the breast of the male is 
marked, and which are wanting in the female. 
