BAETEAM'S SANDPIPEE. 3 



eggs which assimilate with the colors of their surroundings. The nesting is quite 

 similar to that of the Curlews and Godwits. I have found nests on the open 

 prairie without landmarks ; but, perhaps, oftener they are placed in the vicinity 

 of pools and sloughs, or along the edge of a piece of woods — always, however, in 

 an open spot. The female is a close setter, and will suffer herself to be almost 

 trodden upon before she will quit her charge — indeed nests are oftenest found by 

 the fluttering of the female from under one's feet. Early in incubation she generally 

 flies to a little distance and realights, walking leisurely about the grass ; but if 

 the eggs be far advanced she is more solicitous, and will feign lameness, in hope 

 of drawing attention from the nest. The male soon joins her, and the pair hover 

 low off the ground, flying slowly around with incurved wings, uttering their cries 

 of distress ; and as several pairs are usually nesting within hearing, they, too, 

 become alarmed, and the general clamour is continued until the intruder with- 

 draws. The scene is much the same as when the breeding places of the Ciu-lews, 

 Willets, or Godwits are invaded. 



"The nest is flimsy — merely a few straws to keep the eggs from the ground, 

 in a slight depression. The eggs are ordinarily four in number, as usual among 

 Waders. The numerous specimens I have collected are somewhat notably 

 constant in characters, both of size and coloration. In dimensions they range 

 from 1"90 by 1"30 inches, to 1"70 by 1'25, averaging about 1'75 by T28 



" Young birds are abroad late in June — curious little creatures, timid and 

 weak, led about by their anxious parents, solicitous for their welfare, and ready to 

 engage in the most unequal contests in their behalf. When halfgrown, but still 

 in the down, the little creatures have a curiously clumsy, top-heavy look ; their 

 legs look disproportionately large, like those of a young colt or calf; and they 

 may be caught with little diflUculty, as they do not run very well. I once 

 happened upon a brood, perhaps two weeks old, rambling with their mother over 

 the prairie. She sounded the alarm, to scatter her brood, but not before I had 

 secured one of them in my hand. I never saw a braver defence attempted than 

 was made by this strong-hearted though powerless bird, who, after exhausting her 

 artifices to draw me in pursuit of herself, by tumbling about as if desperately 

 wounded, and lying panting with out-stretched wings on the grass, gave up hope 

 of saving her young in this way, and then almost attacked me, dashing close up 

 and retreating again to renew her useless onslaught. She was evidently incited 

 to unusual courage by the sight of her little one struggling in my hand. At this 

 downy stage the young birds are white below, finely mottled with black, white, 

 and rich brown above ; the feet and under mandible are light coloured ; the upper 

 mandible is blackish. 



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