the Mediterranean shores, but I never met with it there
in any considerable numbers, in fact I have but little
personal acquaintance with the bird in a wild state. I
saw a few and shot one in the richest nuptial plumage
in the harbour of Santander in May 1876. The old
birds on the return passage in spring are generally wide
awake and difficult of approach, but in autumn the
inexperienced youngsters on their first travels are often
stupidly tame and confiding, unless, as is often the case,
they are in company with Curlews or Redshanks. The
flesh of this bird in autumn is fairly good, although it
will not bear comparison with that of the Black-tailed
Godwit. At Marseille and Toulon Bar-tailed Godwits
appeared constantly on the bills of fare and tables of the
hotels as “ Bécasses,” never, to my knowledge, with the
legitimate addition of “ de Mer.” This bird thrives
fairly well in captivity, but none of those that I have
kept at Lilford have ever assumed the full nuptial
dress.
