BAR-TAILED GODWIT. 
185 
coasts, and small flocks are seen in Cornwall, Devonshire, 
and Kent, in Romney Marsh, and on the coast; also in 
Suffolk and Norfolk. In Derbyshire one near Swarkeston. 
In Scotland it is known on the banks of the Solway, and 
by the Wampoole, and the Merse at Skinburness. It has 
also been obtained near Perth. 
In Orkney, it is not a very rare winter visitant. 
In Ireland, Mr. Watters says that it is common as a 
winter visitant. He gives Wicklow as a locality. 
In Yorkshire, it has been obtained near York and Doncaster, 
and at Haw Park, near Walton. One also at Hawksworth 
Hall, near Otley, in May, 1839. It is not uncommon on the 
sands in the winter. 
The Rev. R. P. Alington has shot this bird on the Lin¬ 
colnshire side of the Humber. In Cambridgeshire it appears 
to have been met with. In Norfolk it occurs about Breydon, 
near Yarmouth, and also along the coast in considerable 
numbers. 
They move northwards in April, to rear their young, 
returning again in the autumn. 
They are valued for their edible qualities. They are usually 
found in small societies, and frequent the muddy banks of 
inlets of the sea, the mouths of rivers, ‘flowing ever for the 
benefit of man/ and not for his only, but also for that of 
the infinity of the creatures of Grod’s hand; the borders of 
ponds, ditches, and lakes, and swampy marsh lands generally. 
They often mingle with other birds of the same class. ‘During 
high water, the Bar-tailed Grodwits retire to the neighbouring 
meadows and fens, where they appear ever restless, looking 
out from time to time whether the sea water retires, and 
as soon as they become satisfied that some land re-appears, 
they fly up in a body, and continue to follow the receding 
waters together, in search of their favourite food.’ 
Their flight is powerful, though not very rapid; on alighting, 
they generally elevate their wings over the hack just before 
touching the ground. They can run fast, but for the most 
part move about in a steady and graceful manner, the body 
being carried in a horizontal position. 
They feed on worms, aquatic insects, and minute shell-fish, 
and in search of such wade deep, but do not swim or dive 
unless on necessity. 
The note, uttered when alarmed to take flight, somewhat 
resembles the bleat of a goat. 
