THE COMMON SANDPIPER. 139 



turbed, it would in all probability recross to the side it 

 orit>'iiially left. 



The disposition of the Sandpiper is shy and cautious. 

 It is fond of running along on the edge of the water, or 

 even underneath a projecting bank. It never ventures 

 much on to the open flats,, like the Dunlin, neither does it 

 associate with other birds. 



About the end of April nesting commences. Some 

 hollow place in a bank, or a tuft of rushes or grass, is 

 commonly selected. Usually the nest is tolerably well 

 concealed ; but at times the eggs are laid on the ground, 

 with very little indeed to protect them save the few dried 

 leaves and grasses which do duty as a nest. It is said 

 that, if undisturbed, the same pair will make use of their 

 old nesting-place many seasons in succession. 



Four eggs are laid, of a pretty yellowish-white, or 

 reddish -white, spotted with brown of various shades ; but 

 the eggs differ very much in the colour of the grounding, 

 and the size of the spots and blotches with which they are 

 marked. The female sandpiper leaves her nest very quietly, 

 if disturbed during incubation ; but when the young are 

 hatched, she becomes clamorous and extremely agitated at 

 the least approach of danger or prospect of intrusion. On 

 these occasions both birds evince great anxiety for the 

 welfare of their progeny ; and will even assume lameness 

 and similar divices to decoy away intruders. 



The young birds leave the nest in^ a very short time 

 after hatching, and soon learn to conceal themselves 

 adroitly amongst the herbage or surrounding cover. They 

 are, in the first instance, covered with soft greyish or 

 brownish down, with black streaks over the head, and a 

 similar mark down the back. Underneath they are white. 



