190 BIRD-LAND ECHOES. 



slightest attempt at a straight line of flight. I once 

 saw them in such abundance that my well-trained 

 dog forgot himself and, leaping forward, caught one 

 in his paws. But this bird is most entertaining 

 when seen singly, for then only can it be watched 

 with entire satisfaction, though to do this a field- 

 glass is needed. They do not appear to be afraid 

 of the open flats, yet never venture far from cover, 

 and run to and from it in a manner not unlike the 

 little sora or common rail-bird. I have had many 

 an opportunity to shoot them while they were stand- 

 ing exposed on the mud, at low tide ; and as the 

 daylight fades and the grass, water, and mud are 

 obscured until they seem as one great uniform ex- 

 panse, the snipe grow less timid ; they flit and flirt 

 over the flats, and squeak and make merry after a 

 fashion. All in all, it has been a pleasure to watch 

 them, and one that I would gladly repeat if the 

 birds remained ; but by the middle of May, or earlier, 

 they have gone, except here and there an isolated 

 pair that remain to breed. 



Very different in every way and in all respects 

 lovable is the little spotted sand-piper that every one 

 about here knows as the teeter-tiltup, and a more 

 descriptive name was never coined. I look for 

 pleasant weather when the "teeter" comes ; for April 

 is well advanced, the water-side plants are growing 

 fast, the nesting bluebird's warble is in the air, song- 

 sparrows are merry, and now, just above the waves 

 of the sparkling river, I see them the first pair of the 

 season hurrying along from point to point up stream, 



