304 A DESCRIPTION OF 
all nomenclators at defiance, and confound all classifica- 
tions. 
THE GOD WIT (Scolopax agocephala, ) 
Is much like, and in size equal to, if not somewhat larger 
than the woodcock. The Godwit is met with in various 
parts of Great Britain. In spring and summer it resides 
in the fens and marshes, where it rears its young, and 
feeds on small worms and insects ; but in winter it seeks 
the salt marshes and the sea-shore, where it feeds upon 
the shell-fish and marine insects left by the retiring tide. 
A peculiarity belonging to this bird is the shape of its 
bill, which is a little turned upwards. The head, neck, 
and back are of a reddish brown ; the under part of the 
body white ; and the legs dusky, and sometimes black. 
The Godwit is much esteemed by epicures as a great 
delicacy, and sells very high. It is caught in nets, to 
which it is allured by a stale or stuffed bird, in the same 
manner and in the same season as the ruffs and reeves. 
