BIRDS OF KAIsSAS 133 



Habitat. i^orth America in general; breeding 

 throngliont the temperate regions and north to the Arctic 

 coast ; sonth in winter to Brazil and lower Urngnay, South 

 America ; occasionally in Europe. 



This well-known species is quite common throughout its 

 range, and is at home everywhere along the salt and fresh 

 water shores, and not like most of the family restricted to 

 a northern clime for its breeding grounds. Its quick, pe- 

 culiar, balancing motions, caused by bending the knees and 

 keeping time with the head and tail, readily attract at- 

 tention and has given the sobriquet of " Teeters " or 

 " Tipups," which can never be rubbed out. Its flight 

 is also peculiar, usually in a low, coursing manner along 

 the shore, with alternate motions of the wings; at first 

 regular strokes, then with its long, pointed wings curving 

 downward and tremulously vibrating, it sails along, utter- 

 ing its usual ^^ Peet-w^eet," as it goes. 



Their food consists of insects and small forms of life, 

 found at or near the water's edge. 



The parents both assist in hatching and rearing of the 

 young, which leave the nest and follow, soon after they are 

 hatched. They run swiftly, and it is surprising how 

 quickly they will disappear at the first note of warning, by 

 hiding or squatting close to the ground ; and in case of real 

 danger the old birds flutter about in great distress, and in 

 various ways try to divert attention and draw the intruder 

 away. 



Their nests are placed on the ground and lined sparingly 

 with grasses and leaves ; usually on open, dry lands near 

 water, and in a tuft of grass or under a low bush ; (I once 

 found a nest under an old drift log). Eggs four, 1.30x- 

 .93; creamy buff to olive drab, spotted and blotched with 



