EAR-TAILED GODWIT.
appear tin* must favourable quarters. 'Willi a strong wind From west or south-west during the third week in
May I have seen large flocks of Waders (lying in rapid succession direct in the face of the gale for several
hours; these were probably birds which had previously passed over Ereydon flats, uud made considerable
progress on the passage when the change set in, their line of flight being straight from the open sea. With a
continuation of wind from south or west few, if any, of this species will make their appearance along
the east coast, the course followed under such circumstances being same miles oil' the laud, the greater
portion of the migrants missing our shores entirely*. I have on two or three occasion- observed large
llocks passing twenty or thirty miles from land; and fishermen, who were ohl gunners, assured me Unit they
have met with all tho various species of Waders in immense flights for several consecutive days outside
the Dogger Bank, the quarters usually frequented by these Waders on the east-coast mud banks being
at such times almost completely deserted until a change of wind. On the return juurney in the autumn
the majority of our visitors are young of the year. Though these birds are occasionally seen at this
season in large flocks, the numbers that have come under my observation can by uo means compare
with the dense masses of Knots repeatedly met with on the shores of the Scotch firths.
At the Little Berry near Golspie, in Sutherland, I met with immense numbers of Godwits in full winter
plumage in March ISO!). A short extract from my notes may possibly give some idea of tho aspect of
the sands at the harbour-mouth on the evening of the 10th of March. It may he as well to state that I
had during the day been shooting on the upper waters of this muddy estuary, and consequently driven
many Waders and Wildfowl towards the coast. " Ou reaching the harbour, us there was still another hour
of daylight, we dropped down to the bar, and on rounding the point came at oucc within view of
the largest gathering of the feathered tribe I ever witnessed. Several acres of sand and mud as well as
the intersecting pools to the west of the channel were densely packed with birds, while above the busy
throng hundreds ond thousands of Waders in Hocks lioth large and small Hew hither and thither, turning
and twisting with their well-known velocity, seeking an open space on which to alight. Oyster-Catchers
were present in the largest numbers, especially conspicuous owing to their attractive colouring. At no
great distance (though each species kept for the most part separate) herds of Curlew were eagerly exploring
the ooze. Godwits, Knots, Grey and Golden Plover, together with counBess Dunlins, spread out iu all
directions over tho flats. Gulls by hundreds hovered over the channel or setth d in the pools, while
Cormorants iu small parties were ranged by the water-side. Brent Geese to the number of at least a
couple of hundred, with several bunches of Mallard and Wigeon, bad dropped in the vieiuity of the wash
of the tide and cleaned and plumed their feathers regardless of the noisy multitude. Iu tho centre of
the channel a flock of some forty or fifty Long-tailed Ducks, many exhibiting the fiucst stages or plumage,
Hotted quietly, paddling slowly against the flowing tide. Having no desire for slaughter, the punt was
worked silently into a siuaU creek, and the movements of the incessantly shitting birds quietly watched
iu hopes some strangers might he detected. At last the gradually increasing gloom of a dull wintry
night gave warning that a move must be made, especially as a landing would need to be effected at a
point with which we were but little acquainted. On reaching the ferry, however, there was not the
slightest cause for anxiety. Ou the punt being sighted through the dense haze, now drifting in from
the sea, the fishing population uf the neighbouring shealiugs—wives, lads, and lassies—rushed down iu u
body to the water-side, and seizing bold of the craft dragged it at once out of reach of the swell. The
punt with its occupants, as well as the big gun, was next lifted by means of cross lines or spars, and
carried straight off to a shed prepared Tor our accommodation. A small gratuity handed uver the previous
evening to such of the natives as had rendered assistance had led to this somewhat ludicrous reception."
• 1 urn mm that raj- o«n cipcricnce „ to the ill •Hi— ol the wind m»t faioltnibk for the arriral of (iodwitu on the Mat most bj at mpoiu
BAR-TAILBD GODWIT. 3
Before leaving this locality, as some Powl and Waders were required to distribute among the people, I
availed myself of a few of the chances offered, without, however, meeting with any greet success. At the
first discharge an excellent opportunity for henry slaughter was lost, fifty-two Godwits only and a couple
of Knots being obtained. The combined flocks wen' sweeping rapidly down the Hats, following the
course of a winding channel in which the punt was stationed, and on approaching within the distance or
eighty yards the whole body in an instant turned off to the right and swept across the mudbanks, a small
portion only nf the immense flight being exposed to a hasty cross shot. On another occasion twenty-four
Godwits and seventy Knots were gathered : this was a second failure, the tide rising so rapidly that
large numbers of cripples wen' swept from the shore by the rush of water before those nearest, at hand
were collected •.
In addition to the Godwits met with at the Little Ferry, I have also seen this species in winter on
the shores of the Firth of Forth between Gullane Bay and North Berwick. A few small parties were
noticed in the marshes ia the neighbourhood ol Sulthouse and Cley in Norfolk, in January ls"2. Hreydou
Huts would doubtless be resorted to all through the season, wen' the birds allowed but a short cessation
of hostilities. All round the south coast Godwits appear annually during severe weather on the mudtluts
and occasionally on the marshes. It is seldom this species is met with an grass-lands; the frosts and
snows of January IMI7, however, brought several scattered parties to Fovcnsey Level. I noticed llioso
Waders eagerly searching fur food among the patches of green rushes in a marsh where the ground was
(ret from snow.
To give aB the extracts from aiy notes referring to the presence of the Bar-tailed Godwit during spring
and autumn is useless. At such seasons this species, ns previously stated, is by no means uncommon on
all suitable parts of the southern and eastern counties. The Hocks migrating Iowarils their breeding-hmnits
appear, according to my own experience, for the most part to strike aeross the North Sea Injure reaching
the Scotch coast. A few stragglers at times remain on uur shores in summer; these birds, however, al
this season seldom show the perfect breeding-plumage. I noticed a small parly in company with Knots ou
the sands in Eddcrtoti Bay, in the Dornoch Firth, at the cud of June and beginning of July ]siis.
The young on their first arrival in autumn are exceedingly fearless. Like the majority of the Fowl
nnd Waders reared in the descried regions of the far north, these birds appear, unfortunately for their own
safety, to lie totally iinacquaiulcd with the destructive propensities of human nature.
Though I am unable to speak fnml personal experience, the edible qualities of the Godwit are
evidently held in but slight estimation. On the counter of the game dealer this species is seldom, if ever,
seen, though hundreds recently killed ate now and then exhibited on the stalls in the markets. During
severe weather they are also hawked about the streets by itinerant traders, who bestow various highsounding
titles on their waree in order to tempt unsuspecting customers.