aoa BIRDS OF LA PLATA 



its piercing trisyllabic cry the whole time^ and finally, 

 dashing downwards, it suddenly drops again on to 

 the very spot from which it rose. 



I was once pleased and much amused to discover 

 in a small sequestered pool in a wood, well sheltered 

 from sight by trees and aquatic plants, a Solitary 

 Sandpiper living in company with a Blue Bittern, 

 The Bittern patiently watched for small fishes, and 

 when not fishing dozed on a low branch overhanging 

 the water ; while its companion ran briskly along 

 the margin snatching up minute insects from the 

 water. When disturbed they rose together, the 

 Bittern with its harsh, grating scream, the Sandpiper 

 daintily piping its fine bright notes — a wonderful 

 contrast ! Every time I visited the pool afterwards 

 I found these two hermits, one so sedate in manner, 

 the other so lively, living peacefully together. 



BARTRAM'S SANDPIPER 



Actitwa bartramim 



Above blackish, featheis edged with yellowish brown ; rump black ; 

 wing-coverts yellowish brown, barred with black ; primaries blackish ; 

 beneath white ; breast and flanks ochraceous, spotted and barred with 

 black; under surface of wings barred with white and black; bill 

 yellowish, tip black ; feet yellow ; length lo, wing 6.3 inches. Female 

 similar. 



Bartram's Sandpiper, a Sandpiper with the habits 

 of a Plover, is a widely-distributed North American 

 species, its breeding area extending over a large 

 portion of the United States, where it is known as 



