Least Sandpiper 249 



tection, he will squat behind a tuft of beach 

 grass if you pass too near rather than risk 

 flight. 



When the tide is out, you may see the tiny 

 forms of these common ring-necks mingled with 

 the ever-friendly little sandpipers on the ex- 

 posed sand bars and wide beaches where all 

 keep up a constant hunt for bits of shell fish, 

 fish eggs and sand worms. 



General Greely found them nesting in 

 Grinnell Land in July, the males doing most of 

 the incubating as is customary in the plover 

 family, whose females certainly have advanced 

 ideas. Downy little chicks run about as soon 

 after leaving the egg as they are dry. In 

 August the advance guard of southbound 

 flocks begin to arrive in the United States 

 en route for Brazil — quite a journey in the world 

 to test the fledgling's wings. 



LEAST SANDPIPER 



Across the narrow beach we flit, 



One little sandpiper and I ; 

 And fast I gather, bit by bit, 



The scattered driftwood bleached and dry. 

 The wild waves reach their hands for it, 



The wild wind raves, the tide runs high, 

 As up and down the beach we flit, — 



One little sandpiper and I. 



