130 SPOTTED SANDPIPER. 



of a full drab colour, marked with a single streak of black down 

 the middle of the back, and with another behind each ear. 

 They have a weak, plaintive note. On the approach of any 

 person, the parents exhibit symptoms of great distress, coun- 

 terfeiting lameness, and fluttering along the ground with seem- 

 ing difficulty. On the appearance of a dog, this agitation is 

 greatly increased; and it is very interesting to observe with 

 what dexterity the female will lead him from her young, by 

 throwing herself repeatedly before him, fluttering off, and keep- 

 ing just without his reach, on a contrary direction from her 

 helpless brood. My venerable friend, Mr. William Bartram, 

 informs me, that he saw one of these birds defend her young, 

 for a considerable time, from the repeated attacks of a ground 

 squirrel. The scene of action was on the river shore. The pa- 

 rent had thrown herself, with her two young behind her, be- 

 tween them and the land; and at every attempt of the squirrel 

 to seize them by a circuitous sweep, raised both her wings in 

 an almost perpendicular position, assuming the most formidable 

 appearance she was capable of, and rushed forwards on the 

 squirrel, who, intimidated by her boldness and manner, instantly 

 retreated; but presently returning, was met, as before, in front 

 and on flank, by the daring and affectionate bird, who with her 

 wings and whole plumage bristling up, seemed swelled to twice 

 her usual size. The young crowded together behind her, appa- 

 rently sensible of their perilous situation, moving backwards 

 and forwards as she advanced or retreated. This interesting 

 scene lasted for at least ten minutes; the strength of the poor 

 parent began evidently to flag, and the attacks of the squirrel 

 became more daring and frequent, when my good friend, like 

 one of those celestial agents who, in Homer's time, so often 

 decided the palm of victory, stepped forward from his retreat, 

 drove the assailant back to his hole, and rescued the innocent 

 from destruction. 



The flight of this bird is usually low, skimming along the 

 surface of the water, its long wings making a considerable angle 

 downwards from the body, while it utters a rapid cry of iveet 



