202 BIRDS OF LA PLATA 



its piercing trisyllabic cry the whole time, and finally, 

 dashing downwards, it suddenly drops again on to 

 the very spot from which it rose* 



I was once pleased and much amused to discover 

 in a small sequestered pool in a wood, well sheltered 

 from sight by trees and aquatic plants, a Solitary 

 Sandpiper living in company with a Blue Bittern* 

 The Bittern patiently watched for small fishes, and 

 when not fishing dozed on a low branch overhanging 

 the water ; while its companion ran briskly along 

 the margin snatching up minute insects from the 

 water* When disturbed they rose together, the 

 Bittern with its harsh, grating scream, the Sandpiper 

 daintily piping its fine bright notes a wonderful 

 contrast ! Every time I visited the pool afterwards 

 I found these two hermits, one so sedate in manner, 

 the other so lively, living peacefully together. 



BARTRAM'S SANDPIPER 



Actitura bartramius 



Above blackish, feathers edged with yellowish brown ; rump black ; 

 wing-coverts yellowish brown, barred with black ; primaries blackish ; 

 beneath white ; breast and flanks ochraceous, spotted and barred with 

 black ; under surface of wings barred with white and black ; bill 

 yellowish, tip black ; feet yellow ; length 10, wing 6.3 inches. Female 

 similar. 



BARTRAM'S SANDPIPER, a Sandpiper with the habits 

 of a Plover, is a widely-distributed North American 

 species, its breeding area extending over a large 

 portion of the United States, where it is known as 



