58 
NESTS AND EGGS OE 
and indifference into which they have fallen, by the crackling of a dead 
branch, or the dislodgment of a jjebble from its mooring. Conscious of 
impending danger, but never stopping to inquire into the cause of the 
alarm, they seek safety in instant flight, and repair to other scenes, at no 
great distance from the former, where they think to pursue their gastro- 
nomic occupation without fear of being molested. 
Such are the colors of this species, that the utmost harmony obtains 
between them and the hues of surrounding objects. The keen eye of the 
practised sportsman is often eluded thereby. Were it not for its peculiar 
habit of wagging the tail, it would be a very difficult bird to locate, 
esj^ecially when in a standing attitude; for whether thus occupied, or run- 
ning on the ground, or along the rails of a fence, or in the water, this 
motion seems continual. Even the young, as soon as they are released 
from the shell, aie taught by instinct the same remarkable movement. 
Usually about the third week from the time of their first appearance, 
but sometimes later, the sexes, grown corpulent from good feeding, discard 
in a measure the “joys of the table,” and seek each other’s society. From 
stilly bank of inland pond or stream, or where old Neptune lashes in 
frenzied mood his solid flanks, their strange and simple call, peet-iveet, 
peet-ireet, may be heard in quick succession, louder, and more distinct, 
than was their wont. Nor do the males alone indulge therein ; for the 
gentler sex oft join their lords in wanton rivalry. 
Less whimsical than their aristocratic neighbors who aftect the tall 
tree-tops and shady bushes, the lady Sandpipers are more easily wooed 
and won. Their ardent lovers have but to make their suits with due 
obsequiousness, to receive the courted promises. A few more avowals* of 
love, and caresses, and the necessary reciprocations on the part of the 
females, and the happy lovers having sealed their plighted pledges in a 
bond of union, the respective parties journey off in search of suitable 
places for establishing their homes. This event generally occurs about 
the last of May, in some localities, but sometimes not earlier than the 
