BIRDS OF THE UNITED STATES. 
279 
purposes of feeding, but this is probably a mistake, as they are strongly 
attached to scenes more contiguous to the ocean. 
On the high, dry, and level sands, just beyond the limits of the 
summer tides, usually where hundreds of drifted shells lie scattered about, 
they lay their eggs towards the close of May. Their nest is merely I 
slight depression in the sand, sometimes made by the female, oftener the 
result of some casualty of Nature. Though humble the spot, and poorly 
provided with the comforts which render most homes endearing to their 
feathered occupants, it is, nevertheless, one about which cluster many tender 
feelings. As the female depends largely upon the heat of the sun and of 
the sand to hatch her eggs, she only sitting upon them during the night, 
and when the weather is exceedingly cold and rainy, it might be inferred 
that she was lacking in care and affection. But no. Let the nest be 
approached by an enemy, and the solicitude of the parents is at once ap- 
parent. The male flies off with a loud scream, while his partner, less 
demonstrative, runs for a short distance before taking to flight, her object 
bdng to throw the intruder off his guard, and thus save the nest from 
discovery. Such attachment as is shown by these birds for their home 
and Its treasures is really surprising, and is scarcely exceeded by any of 
our smaller land birds that are accustomed to dwell in the cosiest and 
most elaborate of dwellina's. 
^ When the time arrives for the young to burst the checkered walls of 
their tiny prison houses, where, pent up for eighteen long, oppressive and 
weary days, they have been preparing themselves for an earthly career, 
die parents seem more restless, vigilant and solicitous. One or the other 
IS constantly about. Their appearance is hailed with unfeigned delight. 
The mother is chiefly entrusted with their care, and, under her guidance, 
they are brought to maturity. If threatened with danger, at the sound of 
her voice they squat upon the sand, from which they are not easily distin- 
guished; while the parents hover over and around the intruder, alighting 
betimes flrst on this side of him, and then on that, and, by the most dis- 
tressing cries, endeavoring to arouse his sympathies. Sometimes they seek 
