SHORE BIRDS 131 



fcAV bits of leaves, twigs, and grass hastily gathered and 

 placed without order. After the appearance of the eggs 

 the male seems to realize the responsibility of family cares, 

 for his merry song ceases and he devotes his share of time 

 to sitting on the nest, protecting the eggs with his warm 

 body. That this is the case is shown by the bare patches 

 that appear on his breast at this season. 



With such a home as is prepared for their reception, it 

 is not surprising that the little red-backs leave the nest as 

 soon as they are hatched, and freely run about. When 

 frightened, they readily conceal themselves by sitting on 

 the ground and remaining quiet. 



This species exhibits considerable variation in the color of 

 its plumage. In the spring and summer it may be known by 

 the black patch on the belly and reddish color of its back, 

 which is mottled with white and black. At this season it is 

 often called Blackbreast. In the fall and winter the upper 

 parts are bro^^Tiish-gray in color and the under parts are 

 whitish. It is then frequentlj' called the Leadback. Though 

 a beach bird, it is not infrequently met in grassy marshes, 

 and by some it is called the Grass-bird. 



THE SANDERLING* 



This little shore or beach bird is sometimes called the 

 White or Surf Snipe, and the Ruddy Plover. It breeds 

 only in the colder portions of the northern hemisphere and 

 migrates southward, even beyond the equator, where it 

 makes its home during the winter months. It frequents 

 chiefly those regions near the surf-beaten shores of the 



