SPOTTED SANDPIPER. 163 



he delighted to associate, informed Wilson of the spirited de- 

 fence which one of these Peet-Weets made of her young 

 against the attacks of a Ground Squirrel. The place was on 

 the river shore ; the female had thrown herself, with her two 

 young behind her, between them and the land;" and at every 

 attempt of the enemy to seize them by a circuitous sweep, she 

 raised both her wings almost perpendicularly, and assuming this 

 formidable appearance, rushed towards the squirrel, who, intimi- 

 dated by this show of resistance, instantly retreated ; but soon 

 returning, was met, as before, in front and flank by the resolute 

 bird, who, with her wings and plumage bristled up, seemed 

 swelled to twice her usual size. The young crowded together 

 behind her, sensible of their peril, moving backwards and for- 

 wards as she advanced or retreated. In this way the contest 

 endured for about ten minutes, when, as the strength of our 

 little heroine began to fail, the friendly presence of the humane 

 relater put an end to the unequal and doubtful contest. 



Young and old, previous to their departure, frequent the sea- 

 shores like most of the species, but never associate with other 

 kinds nor become gregarious, living always in families till the 

 time of their departure, which usually occurs about the middle 

 of October. While near the shore they feed on small shrimps, 

 coleoptera, and probably also mollusca. 



The Spotted Sandpiper is abundant throughout North America. 

 It breeds in New England (though sparingly to the southward of 

 latitude 43°), westward to the Pacific and northward to Alaska. 

 Mr. D. G. Elliot says : " In the Rocky Mountains this species is 

 found at high elevations, even up to the limit of timber, and is as 

 much at home at such lofty heights as at the level of the sea." 



