88 BULLETIN 146^ UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 



Later (1925) he adds a record of the bird actually running along 

 the bottom while entirely submerged. The spotted sandpiper — 



can dive from the surface of the water or from full flight, at need. Under 

 water it progresses by using its wings which it spreads quite widely, and in 

 shallow water it can go to the bottom and run a short distance with head 

 held low and tail raised like an ouzel or dipper. 



G. M. Sutton (1925) describes the behavior of two birds which 

 he startled by a close sudden approach. In the first quotation 

 he shows that the spotted sandpiper readily dives while on the wing 

 and continues its flight under water and in the second quotation he 

 shows the bird's ability to rise directly into the air from beneath 

 the water, a feat impossible for many water birds. 



When the bird first flushed, its wings were fully spread, and it was headed for 

 the open water of the lake. Upon seeing me towering above it, however, it 

 turned its course abruptly downward, and without the slightest hesitation 

 flew straight into the water. With wings fully outspread and legs kicking 

 it made its way rather slowly along the sandy bottom, until it was about 8 

 feet out, in water over 3 feet deep. I pursued the bird, thinking at the time, 

 strangely enough, that it was wounded. When I reached for it, it tried to go 

 farther but apparently could not. Bubbles of air came from its mouth, and 

 air bubbles were plainly seen clinging to the plumage of its back. At the 

 time it was captured its mouth, eyes, and wings were all open, under water, and 

 it remained at the bottom seemingly without difiiculty. As it lay in my hands 

 above water it seemed tired for a second or two, and then, without warning, 

 shook itself a little, leaped into the air, and with loud, clear whistles, circled 

 off a few inches above the water to a distant point of land. 



On a subsequent occasion, May 7, 1925, Mr. Sutton — 



purposely came upon a spotted sandpiper suddenly and witnessed it employ 

 almost the identical tactics in making an effective escape. At this time, how- 

 ever, the bird dove into running water, swam with wings and feet rapidly 

 moving for about 20 feet, and emerged down stream, still flying, and made off 

 in its characteristic way, only a few inches above the water. 



L. L. Jewel (1915), watching a saidpiper in Panama under most 

 favorable circumstances was able to make out clearly the position 

 of the feet while the bird was swimming under water. The beach 

 where Mr. Jewel made this observation was, as he describes it : 



A wide coral reef, bare at low tide, and with occasional openings or " wells " 

 connected underneath with the sea. Some of these are of considerable size 

 and the water in all is as clear as crystal to all depths — clear as only those 

 who have seen such tropical " coral water " can imagine. * * * 



I had however a perfect view of the bird as he " flew " the 10 feet across 

 the pool, through the beautifully clear water which showed white pebbles 

 distinctly on a bottom perhaps 20 feet below. The bird crossed at a unifrom 

 depth of 18 inches to 2 feet, which he hold until he brought up against 

 tlie opposite wall. The head and neck were extended but not at all stretched 

 while the legs and feet trailed behind with flexed toes, like a heron in flight. 

 The wings seemed to be opened to only perhaps half their full extent — the 



