BIRDS OF THE SEA A^D THE SHORE. 253 



ing soon after the first of May, and assembling in occa- 

 sional twittering flocks, skimming along the edges of 

 some creek or inlet, most numerously after the tide has 

 left the beach. In their circuitous flights they follow all 

 the inequalities of the coast. It is amusing to watch 

 their ways when they are preparing for incubation, rest- 

 less and anxious, and uttering their lively and plaintive 

 cry, like the syllables peet-iueet, repeating the last with 

 the rising inflection. They resemble the notes of the 

 little Wood-Sparrow, when repeated many times in suc- 

 cession, except that the Tattler utters them without in- 

 creasing their rapidity or varying their tone. These 

 notes approach more nearly to music than those of any 

 other bird of the sea or the shore. 



The Tattlers build in the meadows among the rushes, 

 sometimes in a tilled field and very near human dwell- 

 ings, where they are seen roaming about with their young, 

 like a hen with her chickens, searching for worms and 

 grubs. They are very liable to be shot, while attracting 

 attention by their lively motions and their low and musi- 

 cal flight. The young follow the parent as soon as they 

 are hatched, w^hen their downy plumage is of an almost 

 uniform light-grayish color. If surprised, they imme- 

 diately hide themselves among the herbage, while the 

 parent by her motions and cries endeavors to draw atten- 

 tion exclusively to herself. 



The birds of this species have been so wantonly and 

 mercilessly hunted by gunners of all ages, that they have 

 become extremely shy, and have lost all confidence in 

 man. Yet, if they were harbored and protected from 

 annoyance and danger, they would grow tame and con- 

 fiding, and our fields and gardens would be full of them. 

 A brood of them following the hen would be indefatigable 

 hunters of insects in pastures and tilled lands. A few 

 pairs with their young would perform incalculable service 



