UP THE RIVER 379 



" Hurry along and dress, you little Sandpipers, for 

 by and by we are going up the river," said the Doctor. 



"Why do you call us Sandpipers, Uncle Roy?" 

 asked Nat. 



" Because Sandpipers are long-legged little birds 

 that run along the water's edge, where they patter 

 about and whistle, but can't swim." And they all raced 

 laughing up to the cabin. Rap saying cheerfully, " Then 

 I'm not a Sandpiper, for I hop like a Robin instead of 

 running." 



In the afternoon, Olaf had the sharpie (which is a 

 flat sharp-nosed boat with two masts) ready Avith a 

 little dingey tied on behind, and when the tide rose the 

 party went aboard. First he headed well out into the 

 bay, and then tacked to enter the river where the chan- 

 nel was deepest. The river, which was the same that 

 ran through the woods above the Farm, Avas caught in 

 a corner to make the mill-pond , and finally escaping, 

 ran along for many miles until the bay opened its wide 

 arms to receive it. 



" What are those birds over there ? " cried Nat, point- 

 ing toward the outer beacon. " Some look like Avhite 

 Crows, and the others go zigzag like big Barn Swal- 

 lows. Are there any such things as water Swallows, 

 Uncle Roy?" 



" Not exactly — both the birds you see belong to the 

 Swimmers. The larger ones are Herring Gulls, and 

 the smaller ones are Terns. But your guess is not a 

 bad one, for all Terns are also called Sea Swallows, 

 because of their dashing flight. Both Gulls and Terns 

 nest on Gull Island, where Olaf is going to take us 

 some day when the water is smooth. The storm has 



