239 



MY SANDPIPER FRIENDS. 



We were destined to become friends. For years, as long 

 ago as I can remember, these Spotted Sandpipers, or some 

 of their ancestors, had frequented the shores of a tiny pond 

 and had, each year, built their nests in some of the border- 

 ing fields. Likewise, as far back as my memory takes me, 

 the fields surrounding this same little pond were included in 

 one of my favorite and most frequent rambles. Each year, 

 the first week in Ma}^, I have welcomed my sandpiper 



Fig. 202. RETURNING TO HER NEST. 



