234 THE CA^^ADIAN NATURALIST. 



Tringa Semipalmata, or T, PusillaJ ; this numerous tribe 

 is so much aUke in general appearance, that it is not easy 

 for a common observer to know the species, without an accu- 

 rate examination and comparison. A few may be seen every 

 summer, just at this spot, but I have never met with them 

 in any other. The land here is low ; scarcely above the 

 bank of the river, which flows close beside the road on one 

 hand ; and on the other is a large pond and marsh ; the latter 

 clothed with willows, bushes, and rushes. The road, you 

 observe, is raised up, like a causeway ; yet in spring, when 

 the river is swollen by the melting of the snows, it overflows 

 this part of the road, and, with the adjacent pond, makes 

 the surrounding meadows look like a miniature sea. On the 

 sandy banks of this pond the little sandpipers run to and fro, 

 picking up worms, insects, and small testacea. They run 

 very fast, but do not readily fly, and when they do, it is 

 only to a few yards, alighting again immediately. Many 

 plants and animals seem in some degree peculiar to this spot ; 

 though no doubt there are many other situations having the 

 same character and equally congenial to their habits, where 

 the same species may be found. A large and handsome 

 flower, the Blue Iris (Iris Versicolor )y haunts this place ; 

 the beautiful blossom may now be seen capping the curious 

 sword-shaped leaves. 



C. — What a light and feathery appearance a field of 

 grass has at this season ! To what is it owing ? 



F. — The Red- top Grass ( Agrostis Vulgaris), of which 

 this field is chiefly composed, is now in flower : the blossoms 

 of this grass grow in a large loose panicle, the anthers pro- 

 ject from the glumes, and it is they that cause this downy 

 lightness. 



C — I have several times heard in the woods a very 

 sweet but singular note, the author of which I cannot dis- 

 cover. It consists of six notes deliberately uttered, the first 



