SPOTTED SANDPIPER. 343 



informs me, that he saw one of these birds defend her young, for a con- 

 siderable time, from the repeated attacks of a ground squirrel. The 

 scene of action was on the river shore. The parent had thrown herself, 

 with her two young behind her, between them and the land ; and at 

 every attempt of the squirrel to seize them by a circuitous sweep, raised 

 both her wings in an almost perpendicular position, assuming the most 

 formidable appearance she was capable of, and rushed forwards on the 

 squirrel, who, intimidated by her boldness and manner, instantly re- 

 treated ; but presently returning, was met, as before, in front and on 

 flank, by the daring and affectionate bird, who with her wings and whole 

 plumage bristling up, seemed swelled to twice her usual size. The 

 young crowded together behind her, apparently sensible of their perilous 

 situation, moving backwards and forwards as she advanced or retreated. 

 This interesting scene lasted for at least ten minutes ; the strength of 

 the poor parent began evidently to flag, and the attacks of the squirrel 

 became more daring and frequent, when my good friend, like one of 

 those celestial agents who, in Homer's time, so often decided the palm 

 of victory, stepped forward from his retreat, drove the assailant -back to 

 his hole, and rescued the innocent from destruction. 



The flight of this bird is usually low, skimming along the surface of 

 the water, its long wings making a considerable angle downwards from 

 the body, while it utters a rapid cry of weet weet weet as it flutters along, 

 seldom steering in a direct line up or down the river, but making a long 

 circuitous sweep, stretching a great way out, and gradually bending in 

 again to the shore. 



These birds are found occasionally along the sea marshes, as well as 

 in the interior ; and also breed in the corn fields there, frequenting the 

 shore in search of food ; but rarely associating with the other Tringce. 

 About the middle of October they leave us on their way to the south, 

 and do not, to my knowledge, winter in any of the Atlantic States. 



Mr. Pennant is of opinion that this same species is found in Britain ; 

 but neither his description, nor that of Mr. Bewick, will apply correctly 

 to this. The following particulars, with the figure, will enable Euro- 

 peans to determine this matter to their satisfaction. 



Length of the Spotted Sandpiper seven inches and a half, extent 

 thirteen inches ; bill an inch long, straight, the tip, and upper mandible, 

 dusky, lower orange ; stripe over the eye, and lower eyelid, pure white ; 

 whole upper parts a glossy olive, with greenish reflections, each feather 

 marked with waving spots of dark brown ; wing quills deep dusky ; 

 bastard wing bordered and tipped with white ; a spot of white on the 

 middle of the inner vane of each quill feather, except the first ; 

 secondaries tipped with white; tail rounded, the six middle feathers 

 greenish olive, the other three, on each side, white, barred with black ; 

 whole lower parts white, beautifully marked with roundish spots of 



