CHAPTER LXXXIX 



THE COMMON SANDPIPER 



In early spring, the voyager through the waterways of 

 Norfolk will often hear the peculiar t-lcarow, t-learow, 

 t-learow of the common sandpiper, or the more simple-like 

 a-chuck, chtick, chuck ; and as his sail brushes past the river 

 grasses, he may flush from some dike or rond the white- 

 breasted sandpipers, who love to feed by the waterside. 

 But they are quick birds, and flash against the blue for a 

 moment and are gone. 



And again, in late summer, he may startle them from dike- 

 water, rich with sapphire colours ; but of their habits he will 

 hear little, and of their nesting learn nothing. A mere 

 vision across the spring and summer blue is all that is 

 vouchsafed him, or the peculiarly melancholy and persistent 

 call through the night-watches. 



BLACK-TAILED GODWITS. [From life.) 



