AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 



95 



latter except on the outskirts or the edge of clearings. Their song is a 

 cheery one, especially when heard in the solitude of winter. It is a 



metallic whistle running something like "pine pine - - pinc-pinc - 



," the number of notes ranging from six to ten and being uttered 



more rapidly and lower towards the last. This is their song; they also 

 have a single sharp short whistle for a call note. Sometimes, especial- 

 ly in the spring; they will take their station on some dry, dead branch 

 and drum continuously for fifteen or twenty minutes at a time, only 

 stopping for a few seconds now and then to see if there is any answer 

 to their challenge, if such it is. They are very active and run up, 

 around, or even down a tree trunk with great agility. They are rugged 

 little fellows and stand our severe winters, while the larger flickers go 

 to warmer climes. They are equally at home from northern North 

 America to Florida and are quite common throughout their range. 



THE SPOTTED SANDPIPER. 



NE beautiful day in May, while strolling along the banks- 



®of a stream, which meandered through a meadow inclosed 

 by rolling hills, my attention was attracted by a bird run- 

 ning along a sand-bar in the middle of the stream. 



^. Having lots of time to spare I sat down and proceeded 



^^yi^ to become better acquainted with my little friend. By 

 ^ ' the length of its neck and legs I concluded it belonged to 



■ in ■ ■ the family of Waders, which was subsequently proven by 

 its entering a shallow part of the stream in search for food. 



It came closer to where I lay and thus afforded me the opportunity 

 of better observation. It was constantly in motion and never ceased a 

 peculiar movement of its body, tilting it up and down in a see-saw 

 fashion. It uttered a plaiatiff "peet weef' as it flew from one place to 

 another but seemed to do so only while on the wing. When flying two 

 white wing bars were very noticeable, which with its other peculiarities, 

 proclaimed it to be the Spotted Sandpiper. Locally it is also known 

 by the names of "Teeter tail," "Sand-lark," "Peet-weet," "Tip-up," 

 "Bobber," etc. 



This charming little bird reaches us early in May, having passed the 

 winter months in South America and the West Indies, although some 

 few remain as far north as the Gulf States. It is very common 

 throughout the United States and breeds wherever found. 



Several pairs have reared their young year after year on a little 

 island, formed by the branching of a small river, just outside of Balti- 

 more. Although a small village has encroached upon their nesting- 

 sight, still they return' each spring as before. Another disadvantage 



