532 THE SPOTTED SANDPIPER 
Recognition Marks.—Sparrow to Chewink size; greenish brown back; 
boldly spotted under parts; the common bird of river-bank and lale-shore. 
Nest, on the ground, a slight depression, scantily or somewhat carefully lined 
with dead leaves and grass. Eggs, 4, creamy buff or dull white, speckled and 
spotted with dark brown, chiefly about larger end. Av. size, 1.25 x .g2 (31.8 x 
23.4). 
General Range.—North and South America from Alaska to southern Brazil. 
Breeds throughout temperate North America, less commonly on the Pacific Coast. 
Occasional in Europe. 
Range in Ohio.—Common summer resident along streams and reservoirs 
throughout the state. 
LIKE a second Narcissus this familiar little Sandpiper loves to linger at 
the water’s edge; and even if it be conceded that he has other business there 
besides looking in the mirror, we could not suppose that he is altogether 
insensible to the flattery of the smooth-flowing stream. It is for this reason, 
perhaps, that he prefers the vicinity of quiet inland waters; and it is this 
also—what else?—that tempts him to make from time to time little hori- 
zontal excursions, or loops, of flight out over the river or placid lake. If 
frightened, as by a boatman, the bird may patter along the muddy brim, or 
remove by short flights, but sooner or later he puts off from shore, edges 
out over the water, wheels about in a great circle, and draws near his 
starting point again in a graceful curve, which regards the shore as a sort of 
asymtote—this on wings held stiffly or quivering with emotion. 
On shore the bird indulges a never-ending habit of teetering: “The fore 
part of the body is lowered a little, the head drawn in, the legs slightly bent, 
while the hinder parts and tail are alternately hoisted with a peculiar jerk, and 
drawn down again with the regularity of clock work.’ ‘This strange motion 
has won for the bird the name Tip-up and Teeter-tail, and gives it an air 
of mock solemnity which is only heightened by the Quaker drab adornment of 
the upper parts and the apparently serious view of life which the owner takes. 
Absurd as the action is in adults, it tests the risibles still more sorely when 
a toddling youngster, bristling with pin-feathers, discovers the same uncon- 
trollable ambition in his rear parts, and says, How-do-you-do backward, with 
imperturbable gravity. 
Arriving in its accustomed haunts about the middle of April, the Spotted 
Sandpiper immediately makes its presence known by notes which altho of 
trifling import, are particularly sweet and welcome. Peet-weet, or weet, weet, 
weet, weet, says the bird on all possible occasions, and a boat-ride on lake 
or river loses half its charm without the frequent interruption of this wayside 
greeting. 
