LITTLE SANDPIPER. 183 
they had probably bred on the elevated portions of Staten Island, al- 
though on the other hand, they might have been barren birds. I have 
been equally astonished to see large flocks of this species on the sand- 
bars along the shores of the Ohio, below the great Rapids, about the 
middle of August. According to Dr Ricnarpson, it “ breeds within 
the Arctic Circle, arriving as soon as the snow melts. It was observed 
on the 21st of May, on the swampy borders of small lakes in latitude 
66°. The crops of those we killed were filled with a soft blackish 
earth, and some white worms.” From the above quotation, I would 
be almost inclined to believe that, like some others of our birds, which 
are said to be found in northern Europe, this might be one. 
The habits of the Little Sandpiper have been described with great 
care and accuracy by my friend Tuomas Nurtauy. His account is in- 
deed so perfect that I shall here lay it before you in preference to one 
by myself. “The Peeps, as they have been called, are seen in the salt 
marshes around Boston, as early as the 8th of July; indeed, so seldom 
are they absent from us in the summer season, that they might be taken 
for denizens of the state, or the neighbouring countries. When they 
arrive, now and then accompanied by the semi-palmated species, the 
air is sometimes, as it were, clouded with their flocks. Companies led 
from place to place in quest of food, are seen whirling suddenly in cir- 
cles, with a desultory flight, at a distance, resembling a swarm of hiv- 
ing bees, seeking out some object on which to settle. At this time, 
deceiving them by an imitation of their sharp and querulous whistle, 
the fowler approaches, and adds destruction to the confusion of their 
timorous and restless flight.. Flocking together for common security, 
the fall of their companions, and their plaintive cry, excite so much 
sympathy among the harmless Peeps, that, forgetting their own safety, 
or not well perceiving the cause of the fatality which the gun spreads 
among them, they fall sometimes in such a state of confusion, as to be 
routed with but little effort, until the greedy sportsman is glutted with 
his timorous and infatuated game. When much disturbed, they, 
however, separate into small and wandering parties, and are now 
seen gleaning their fare of larvae, worms, minute shell-fish, and insects, 
in the salt marshes, or on the muddy and sedgy shores of tide rivers 
and ponds. At such times they may be very nearly approached, be- 
traying rather a heedless familiarity than a timorous mistrust of their 
most wily enemy; and even when rudely startled, they will often re- 
