AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 



209 



A Belted Kingfisher also paid us a visit and after perching for a few 

 ■seconds on a branch overhanging a stream, suddenly plunged into the 

 water and next appeared with a minnow in his bill. Resuming his 

 position, he hammered the fish vigorously against the limb to kill it 

 before swallowing his meal. 



That same afternoon I heard a Tip-up, or Spotted Sandpiper, just 

 around a bend of the stream. In answer to my reply he flew toward 

 us, alighting on the gunwale of the boat, moored near by. There he 

 ■sat bobbing his head and teetering his body in a surprised sort of way, 

 as though to say "why, I thought I heard my mate about here some- 

 where." Then discovering us, he started up the stream, flying close 

 •over the water and whistling his tremulous call as he went. 



How often while fishing on the Susquehanna River, have I fooled his 

 relatives in like manner, or during nesting season, have chased his 

 stilt-legged, fluffy children, until from fright, they would plunge into the 

 water and cling to the weeds at the bottom. Fearing that they would 

 ■drown, I have rushed in and hauled them to the surface and liberated 

 them. 



Who ever supposed that there were humming birds in Alaska? I 

 never did; yet while waiting on the beach at Haines Mission foraparty 

 of Indians to take me up the Chilkat River, one came buzzing past. 

 He paused a second, on seeing me, then thrust his long, slender bill 



THE HOME OF THE KINGFISHER AND "TIPUP. 



