36 Sketches of Some Common Birds. 



north to the Yukon. Breeds from the middle districts 

 northward; winters extralimital." These sandpipers 

 generally reach central Illinois soon alter the first ot 

 April, varying earlier or later with the advance ot the 

 season, it does not appear that wo are in the route of 

 the heavy or regular migrations, for most of these bi«'ds 

 that come to us are summer residents, and immediately 

 establish themselves in a particular field or group of 

 meadows, in which they will later choose a convenient 

 depression for their future habitation. They also com- 

 monly come to us in pairs, having settled the momentous 

 question of partnership before their arrival, as only two 

 birds are usually seen in the area which they seem to 

 claim, and these two rear the brood which later increases 

 the interest awakened by the older members. Doubtless 

 there are frequent visits exchanged between the residents 

 of neighboring fields, but ordinarily the birds are happily 

 mated when they indicate their choice of a summer home 

 by immediate and continued occupation. 



After the beginning of the breeding season, it is almost 

 impossible to surprise the birds in entering their chosen 

 domain. As we near the quarters of a pair of the sand- 

 pipers, we are apprised of the fact that our presence is 

 known by hearing the long, peculiar whistle of one of the 

 birds, and we may see it sailing high in the air watching 

 our movements. During our stay in the meadow we are 

 kept under close surveillance by one and perhaps both of 

 the birds sometimes sailing and hovering directly above 

 us and then gliding downward to alight near us. I have 

 frequently ensconced myself behind a convenient hedge 

 to watch the movements of a pair of these sandpipers, in 

 order to find the nest which I felt certain was situated 

 somewhere in the meadow over which the birds hovered 

 with such jealous watchfulness, but my trouble was 

 always turned to naught by the penetration of the vig- 

 ilant owners. On one occasion, after 1 had tramped over 

 a meadow in setirch of a nest, I concealed myself behind 

 a hedge through which I could watch the actions of the 

 anxious birds, but even in my leafy shelter I was discov- 

 ered and outwitted by them. They sailed over my head 

 within forty feet of me, and frequently alighted very 



