THE SPOTTED SANDPIPER = 195 
from pursuit and the semi-protection thus af- 
forded, they often nest near the farmhouse, in 
the orchards, and near the highways where no 
other of their kind would ever think of making 
its home. Their nests are made in almost any 
spot near water, be it sea, lake, pond or moun- 
tain brook, and a very simple affair is this hum- 
ble home—a mere hollow on the ground lined 
with soft dead grass. This usually contains 
four eggs of a dull clay color, splashed with ir- 
regular dark spots. If the bird is flushed from 
the nest she commonly flies off in silence, mak- 
ing no show of annoyance, in marked contrast 
to her usual noisy mood, and if surprised with 
her young family plays all the tricks and wiles 
known to other birds and used in a like situa- 
tion. 
Strolling one August day on the banks of a 
ereek much frequented by these birds I came 
upon a Spotted Piper which seemed greatly dis- 
tressed at my presence. The cause was not far 
to seek. Out on a point of mud at the water’s 
edge was another piper of much lighter color 
than usual and I proceeded to make its ac- 
quaintance. On approaching there was no diffi- 
culty in discovering what it was—an unfledged 
