476 



NATURAL HISTORY. 



is need of this, such large eggs belonging to so small a bird. As we draw 



-on 



near, the mother sees us, and nestles closer still over her treasures, quite 

 hiding them in the covering of her breast, and watches us with timid eyes, 

 all anxiety for the safety of what is dearer to her than her own life. Her 

 mate stands motionless, but not unmoved, hard by, not venturing even to 

 chirp the note of sympathy and encouragement she loves to hear. Alas ! 

 hope fades and dies out, leaving only fear ; there is no further concealment 

 — we are almost upon the nest ; almost trodden upon she springs up with 

 a piteous cry, and flies a little distance, re-alighting, almost beside herself 



Fig. 402. — Sanderling {Calidris arenaria). 



with grief ; for she knows too well what is to be feared at such a time. If 

 there were hope for her that her nest were undiscovered, she might dis- 

 simulate, and try to entice us away by those touching deceits that mater- 

 nal love inspires. But we are actually bending over her treasures, and 

 deception would be in vain ; her grief is too great to be witnessed unmoved, 

 still less portrayed ; nor can we, deaf to her beseeching, change it into 

 despair. We have seen and admired the house, — there is no excuse 

 for making it desolate ; we have not so much as touched one of the 

 precious eggs, and will leave them to her renewed and patient care. . . . 



