Game Birds and Game Fishes of the Pacific Coast

by Harry Thom Payne

MARLIN OR GODWIT (Limosa fedoa)

THE MARLIN, OR MARBLED GODWIT

(Limosa fedoa)

The marbled godwit, or marlin as it is also called, is one of the largest birds of the Scolopacidæ family. It ranges from Alaska to Central America. This species is seen in large numbers in the early fall along the sea beaches of California as they are working their way south. They spend the winter in great quantities in Lower California and Mexico. There should be no difficulty in distinguishing the godwit from any of the other shore birds, its long upward curved bill and brownish-barred back being features by which it may always be known.

Color—Top of head and back of neck, brown, streaked with paler brown; feathers of the back, brown, with ochreous edges; throat and forehead, pale buff, with faint markings of brown; bill slightly turned upward.

Nest and Eggs—Nest a crude affair on the ground, containing four eggs of an ash color, mottled with a dead brown.

Measurements—Total length, 19 inches; wing, 8 ³/₄; bill, about 4 inches.

THE RED-BACKED SANDPIPER

(Tringa alpina pacifica)