294 



Bird - Lore 



times they would rest for some moments suspended in mid-air, and then dart 

 down into the water after their prey, quick as a flash. At other times they 

 would gather in small flocks on the sand-bars, and hold a noisy caucus. Con- 

 siderable variation was noted in the dark markings of individuals of the species. 

 SoUtary individuals of the Black Tern were seen on two occasions. 



The'^Spotted Sandpiper was with us daily, usually as solitary individuals. 

 This little Sandpiper seemed always to be busy looking for food on the stream 

 margin. The names "teeter" and "tilt-up" are quite appropriate, and its 

 merry weet-weet weet-weet always signals its presence. Related forms to the 

 little Sandpiper were rare. One time a small flock of Upland Plovers was seen, 



BLACK AND TURKEY VULTURES 



and another time four Willets were shot by a ferryman with whom we were 

 stopping during a rainstorm. 



Several kinds of Herons were seen almost daily. The White Herons were 

 the most numerous in the lower part of the course passed over. The Snowy 

 Egret sometimes appeared in flocks of a dozen or more, and often in company 

 with the American Egret. These Herons were quite tame, and could be more 

 readily approached for observation than other Herons. The White Herons 

 seemed more abundant on the tributary streams than on the master stream. 

 The Great Blue Heron was fairly abundant; sometimes two or three would be 

 seen at once, but not near together as a rule. These birds were rather shy, 

 and did nor permit very close observation. The Little Green Heron was seen 

 quite often, but was not so common as the Blue Heron, along the Red River. 

 A few other Herons were seen, but, as they were very shy, the species could 



