BLACK-TAILED GODWIT. 
181 
full summer plumage were shot in a fen near Wisbeach, 
May 4th., 1850. 
In Cornwall, one was shot at Swanpool, near Falmouth, 
by Mr. May, December 12th., 1846. In Surrey, it has 
occurred near Grodalming; in Devonshire it has been obtained. 
In Bedfordshire, at Cardington; also in Derbyshire, one on 
Sinfin Moor. 
In Orkney it is a rather rare winter bird, during which 
season it appears in small flocks. 
In Ireland it is an occasional visitant, and has been 
obtained near Dublin, in October. 
Its haunts in winter are the oozy banks of the larger 
estuaries, and the mouths of rivers. 
They arrive in March in the places where they intend to 
rear their young. They move by night, and then unite in 
companies of perhaps forty or fifty individuals, but at other 
times are unsociable among themselves, as well as shy, 
excepting when interested for their brood, whom they endeavour 
to obtain security for by flying about any intruder. The 
young birds shew great dexterity in hiding themselves. 
They are highly esteemed for the table, and are both shot 
and taken in snares. 
‘In flight it opens its pointed wings at full length, and 
beats the air in regular succession; but when hurried, its 
wings are only half opened, and the strokes become very 
quick, whereby its speed is very much increased. Its walk 
is not unlike that of the Stork, and when at rest, it invariably 
stands on one leg.’ When asleep, it generally ‘put's its head 
under its wing.’ 
The Grodwit feeds on insects and their larvae, and worms, 
obtained by boring in the soft sand and mud with its long 
bill, not only when the surface is uncovered, but also under 
the water, immersing the head for the purpose. It follows 
its vocation early in the morning and late in the evening, 
an of course, longer during moonlight nights. 
The note has been compared to the syllables ‘grutto, 
grutto, grutto.’ 
About the beginning of April they arrive at their nesting- 
places, and begin to lay early in May, in the rough parts 
of swamps, and low meadows near water, the nest being 
composed of dry grass, and other wild plants, and hidden 
among any coarse herbage. 
The eggs are four in number, of a deep green or light 
