BARTRAM'S PLOVER. 567 



September, when, after an equally late sojourn, the birds pass on. They differ from most of 

 their relatives in their choice of feeding-grounds, or of places where they originally alight to 

 rest while migrating ; a difference accompanied, I suppose, by a corresponding modification of 

 diet. Their favorite resorts are the margins of small, stagnant pools, fringed with rank grass 

 and weeds, the miry tide-water ditches that intersect marshes, and the soft, oozy depressions 

 in low meadows and watery savannas. They frequent, also, the interior of woods, not too 

 thick, and collect there about the rain-puddles. They cannot be said with entire propriety to 

 be solitary, though the name is well enough to indicate less social propensities than most of 

 the waders possess. I generally found from one or two to a half dozen of these birds 

 together." 



This bird seems to be rather exclusive ; differing quite distinctly in this respect from many 

 other waders. It has the curious habit of "bobbing" up and down. 



This bird rises easily on wing, flying slowly, with legs dangling and neck outstretched, 

 then alighting and gazing around listlessly. As the feet touch the ground, the long, pointed 

 wings are lifted until their tips nearly meet, and are then deliberately folded, in these 

 motions resembling the habits of the Esquimaux curlew. When suddenly alarmed, the Tattlers 

 utter a low and pleasing whistle as they fly off. They are thought to be extremely tender, 

 and easily killed ; a charge of fine shot, that would not bring down a warbler, killing the 

 Tattler even at long range. 



"The Solitary Sandpiper," says Wilson, "inhabits the watery solitudes of our highest 

 mountains during summer, from Kentucky to New York, but is nowhere numerous, seldom 

 more than one or two being seen together. At the approach of cold weather, it descends to 

 the muddy shores of our rivers, where it is occasionally met with singly, on its way south- 

 ward. They regularly breed in Pennsylvania, on the Pocono Mountains. It is usually eilent, 

 excepting when it is flushed, when it utters a sharp whistle. It is eight inches in length, and 

 fifteen inches in extent of wing. The sexes are alike in color." 



Wilson says that this species bears considerable resemblance to the Green Sandpiper of 

 Europe. This latter bird is enumerated with North American species, on account of its occa- 

 sional visits to this country. 



THE WILLET (Symphemia semipalmata). This fine bird is an American species, found 

 as a straggler in Europe. It breeds in most portions of the United States. On the North 

 Carolina coast it breeds in great numbers. Usually, Willets are noisy, restless, and wary. 

 Both parents take turns at incubation. The half webbing of the toes renders it able to swim, 

 though it does not resort to swimming unless pushed to it. 



Wilson calls this bird the Semipalmated Snipe. It is also called Stone Snipe, and Semi- 

 palmated Tattler. It is one of the most noisy birds that inhabit our salt marshes. Its note is 

 Pill-will-willet hence the name. This is heard at a long distance, uttered incessantly. The 

 flesh of this bird is excellent eating, and the good size makes it a desirable game bird. The plu- 

 mage is changed for the two seasons, varying to such an extent as to appear like that of two 

 distinct species. Its length is fifteen inches ; extent of wing thirty inches. It stands high, 

 like the curlews. The female is larger than the male. 



THE RUFF (Machetes pugnax) is so frequently a straggler into this country, that it has been 

 entered on the list of North American birds. The Wandering Tattler (Heterosceles incanus) 

 also has the same standing as an American bird. 



BARTRAM'S PLOVER (Bartramia longicauda), or Sandpiper, also called Upland Plover. 

 This species has a wide dispersion in the Western hemisphere, and is an occasional visitor in 

 Europe. It is not known west of the Rocky Mountains ; Nova Scotia seems to be its northern 

 limit. It breeds in the middle of summer. 



It winters in Mexico and the West Indies, and southward to South America. It occurs 

 in siammer as far north as the Yukon, though great numbers breed within the United States. 

 Grass Plover is another name applied to it in the Eastern States, while in the region between 



