336 



THE SANDERLING PLOVER. 



in the course of incubation, however, either to guard against the rise 

 of the tides, or for some other purpose, the nest is increased in height 

 with the dry twigs of salt marsh shrubs, roots of grass, sea-weed, and 

 any other coarse materials which may be convenient, until the whole 

 may now weigh two or three pounds. The eggs, four in number, are 

 of a dark yellowish drab, thickly marked with large blotches of 

 brownish-black. These nests are often situated within fifteen or twenty 

 yards of each other, the respective proprietors living in mutual friendship. 



THE SANDKBL1NG PLOVER. 



The Sanderlings, in accumulating flocks, arrive on the shores of 



Massachusetts from 

 their remote north- 

 ern breeding places 

 towards the close of 

 August. They are 

 seen also about the 

 same time on the 

 coast of New Jer- 

 sey, and still far- 

 ther to the south, 

 where they remain 

 throughout the 

 greater part of the 

 winter, gleaning 

 their subsistence 

 exclusively along 

 the immediate bor- 

 ders of the ocean, 

 and are particularly 

 attached to sandy 

 flats, and low sterile, solitary coasts, divested of vegetation, aiul 

 perpetually bleached by the access of tides and storms; in such situ- 

 ations they are often seen in numerous flocks, running along the 

 strand, busily employed in front of the moving waves, gleaning 

 with agility, the shrimps, minute shell-fish, marine insects, and small 

 moluscous animals, which ever recurring accident throws in their 

 way. The numerous flocks, keep a low circling course along the 

 strand, at times uttering a slender and rather plaintive whistle, 

 nearly like that of the smaller Sandpipers. On alighting, the little 

 active troop, waiting the opportunity, scatter themselves about in 

 the rear of the retiring surge, the succeeding wave then again urges 

 the busy gleaners before it, when they appear like a little pigmy 

 army passing through their military evolutions ; and at this time the 

 wily sportsman, seizing his opportunity, spreads destruction among 

 their timid ranks : and so little are they aware of the nature of the 

 attack, that, after making a few aerial meanders, the survivors, pursue 

 their busy avocations with as little apparent concern as at the first 



AJTDERUNO PLOVER. 



