210 THE BIRDS ABOUT Us. 



America." In the Middle States it is both migra- 

 tory and resident. Dr. Warren records, as observa- 

 tions of this bird in Pennsylvania, 



" This species resides during the breeding season in grass-fields 

 and highlands. . . . Often in the summer these birds alight on fences 

 along the roadside, in trees, etc., and raise their long wings to their 

 full extent. When breeding these birds are found singly or in pairs, 

 and they are then quite unsuspicious, often allowing a very near ap- 

 proach before they take to wing or run off and hide in the grass, but 

 in the late summer when assembled in flocks they become exceed- 

 ingly shy and difficult of approach. ... Its ordinary note is a rather 

 loud, yet soft and pleasing-whistle, but when breeding it frequently 

 utters a loud, prolonged, and tremulous piercing scream, which, when 

 heard at considerable distance, sounds very much like the sudden 

 cry of a child in great distress." 



It is in August that flocks of these birds are scat- 

 tered over the country, and of late so very shy are 

 they that we can hear their mellow whistle but can- 

 not see the birds. They are early birds, too, and 

 before sunrise will scour a field for food and be up 

 and off before the cows are turned into the pasture. 

 I had often noticed the whistling birds overhead, but 

 never could find them except in the air, and now I 

 know the reason. This bird is not as abundant in 

 Eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey as in Wilson's 

 day. 



George Ord's note to Wilson's account is as fol- 

 lows: 



" Bartram's Sand-piper is known to our shooters by the name of 

 Grass Plover. It breeds in low grounds, in the State of New Jersey. 

 When watching its nest it is fond of sitting upon fences, and on 

 alighting it throws up its wings in the manner of the fVillet. In the 

 early part of August it begins to migrate ; it then flies high, and may 

 be easily recognized by its whistling notes, which resemble those of 



