202 BIRDS OF LA PLATA 
its piercing trisyllabic crfthe whole time, and finally, 
dashing downwards, it suddenly drops again on to 
the very spot from which it rose. 
I was once pleased and much amused to discover 
in a small sequestered pool in a wood, well sheltered 
from sight by trees and aquatic plants, a Solitary 
Sandpiper living in company with a Blue Bittern. 
The Bittern patiently watched for small fishes, and 
when not fishing dozed on a low branch overhanging 
the water; while its companion ran briskly along 
the margin snatching up minute insects from the 
water. When disturbed they rose together, the 
Bittern with its harsh, grating scream, the Sandpiper 
daintily piping its fine bright notes—a wonderful 
contrast ! Every time I visited the pool afterwards 
I found these two hermits, one so sedate in manner, 
the other so lively, living peacefully together. 
BARTRAM’S SANDPIPER 
Actitura bartramius 
Above blackish, feathers edged with yellowish brown ; rump black ; 
wing-coverts yellowish brown, barred with black ; primaries blackish ; 
beneath white ; breast and flanks ochraceous, spotted and barred with 
black; under surface of wings barred with white and black; bill 
yellowish, tip black; feet yellow; length 10, wing 6.3 inches. Female 
similar. 
BARTRAM’S SANDPIPER, a Sandpiper with the habits 
of a Plover, is a widely-distributed North American 
species, its breeding area extending over a large 
portion of the United States, where it is known as 
