216 CUR SORES. 



in number, and of a cream color, with markings of 

 brown and black. During the period of incubation, 

 and immediately after the hatching of the young, the 

 old birds manifest much anxiety at the approach of 

 danger. The female endeavors by the usual strata- 

 gem of feigned lameness to entice the intruder away, 

 while the male wheels about overhead in an excited 

 manner, uttering his most earnest entreaties or his 

 most angry reproofs, in hopes no doubt of averting 

 the ruin of his family. 



The Kildeer is in every respect a beautiful bird. 

 Whether seen at a distance, sailing or diving with 

 such graceful ease through the buoyant air, or whether 

 upon a nearer view we look upon the lively tints of 

 his exquisite plumage, we cannot but feel that he 

 too is worthy of our notice, and to become the wel- 

 come companion of our rambles. 



Among the many active little Sand Pipers to be 

 seen upon our coasts in the Spring and Autumn, are 

 the Red-breasted Sand Piper, the Purple Sand Piper, 

 the Red-backed Sand Piper, and the Semi-palmated 

 Sand Piper. Let us see what we can find out in re- 

 lation to some of them. Of the Red-backed Sand 

 Piper Audubon says : " In Autumn and Winter, this 

 species is abundant along the whole range of our 

 coast, wherever the shores are sandy or muddy, from 

 Maine to the mouths of the Mississippi; but I never 

 found one far inland. Sometimes they collect in 

 flocks of several hundred individuals, and are seen 

 wheeling over the water near the shores or over the 

 beaches, in beautiful order, and now and then so close 



