LITTLE SANDPIPER. 18] 
are always marked differences in habits, and especially in the sound 
of the voice. 
That this species is naturally disposed to seek alpine sections of 
the country for the purpose of reproduction, I obtained abundant proof 
whilst in Labrador, where I found it plentiful, and breeding on the 
moss-clad crests of the highest rocks, within short distances of the sea. 
There are means through which the experienced student of Nature 
may discover the hidden treasures of birds of this family, which to 
others would prove useless, and which I shall here point out. At all 
periods, excepting those at which they have nests containing eggs, or 
young so small and delicate as to require all the care of their parents, 
the flight of the present species usually resembles that of the Common 
Snipe, Scolopaz Wilsonii ; but when startled from the nest, or from any 
place in its immediate vicinity, it rises on wing, and moves off low over 
the ground with deeply incurved wings, and with a whirring motion of 
these organs, which, if as rapid as that of a Partridge, would appear 
quite similar; but, on such occasions, our bird moves slowly before you, 
and instead of uttering the note of independence, as it were, which it emits 
at other times while freely and fearlessly travelling, it gives out sounds 
weakened as if by grief or anxiety, for the purpose of inducing you to 
follow it. If on the ground, it acts in a similar manner, moves off 
slowly, and limping as if crippled, and this at times quite as much as 
if you had really come upon it while on its nest, or surprised it with 
its young. On all such occasions, Reader, you ought to mark well the 
spot from which the bird has started, and, to assure yourself that your 
eye may not be deceived, throw your cap or hat at your feet to serve 
as a beacon, should necessity afterwards call for it, to guide you around 
the place until you have discovered the nest which you are desirous of 
seeing. 
Through these means, on the 20th of July 1833, I after some 
search found the nest and eggs of this species. The birds flew, to use 
the words of my Journal, like Partridges, and not like Tringas. I 
marked them well, for both the female and the male flew from near 
the nest, and having left my fisher’s hat where I then stood, I walked 
carefully over the moss hither and thither, until at last I came upon 
the spot. My pleasure would have been greatly augmented had any 
of my young companions been near; but the sailors who had rowed 
me to the foot of the rocks exhibited little more delight than they 
