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BIRDS OF AMERICA 



Probably there is no sliore bird more widely 

 and intimately known all over the country than 

 the Spotted Sandpiper, which is popularly nick- 



Photo by S. A. Lottridge 



NEST AND EGGS OF SPOTTED SANDPIPER 



named " Teeter " or " Tip-up," from its nervou> 

 habit of constantly tilting its body, and " Peet- 

 weet '' from its notes. As typically seen, it runs 

 along the shore of a pond or stream, stops and 

 wags its head and body up and down several 

 times, then runs again, and, if further ap- 

 proached, flies out over the water with a pecu- 

 liar quivering flight, the wings being held straight 

 out, with alternations of quivering downward 

 beats and brief intervals of soaring. Usuallv it 

 circles back and alights not far from the same 

 place. It is not by any means, however, con- 

 fined to the vicinity of open water, but is often 

 seen in meadows, and even on dry uplands, par- 

 ticularly in cultivated fields where crops are 

 growing. 



Most shore birds breed far to the north, but 

 here is one species which is remarkably impar- 

 tial in its topography. Though it breeds in north- 

 ern Alaska, it also does so nearlv all ovev the 

 United States, even down on the Gulf of Mexico, 

 alike on seaboard and interior. In this praise- 

 worthy originality it is entirely unique, surpass- 

 ing even the Robin, which does not breed so far 

 south. 



In the northern States I have usually found 

 fresh eggs during the last week of May. gener- 

 ally four in number. The nest may be found in 



many sorts of situations. Probably that most 

 preferred is just up from the shore of a pond 

 or stream, under a bunch of grass or a clump 

 of weeds. Usually nests are quite well hidden, 

 but I have seen them easily visible, under sparse 

 weeds on open gravelly shore. How'ever, they 

 are often placed quite a distance from water, in 

 pastures or among crops, quite often in fields of 

 corn or potatoes. 



Some shore birds " act up " to draw away in- 

 truders from their nests, when these are being 

 approached. The Spotted Sandpiper makes no 

 such attempt until after being flushed, when both 

 birds appear and run about anxiously. 



The female is a close sitter, and discloses her 

 secret by fluttering out when closely approached. 

 Owing to this habit, I have inspected dozens of 

 nests, whereas, if the bird would discreetly with- 

 draw, the well-hidden nest would seldom be 

 found, except when placed in cultivated fields. 



Photo by H. K. Job 



SPOTTED SANDPIPER ON NEST 



Some of these birds winter on our southern 

 coasts, but the majority pass on further, pene- 

 trating into Brazil and Peru. Herbert K. Job. 



