SANDPIPEES. 



333 



live in small flocks on the banks of rivers and on the sea-coast. 

 Some species frequent marshy localities, others dry and sandy 

 districts. Their food is chiefly worms, insects, fish-spawn, and 

 sometimes even small fry and Crustacea. Their habits are peace- 

 able, and their movements easy and graceful. They may be 

 noticed on the strands and banks of our rivers, incessantly on 

 the move, running, swimming, and diving, all of which they per- 

 form with equal ease. They are gifted with a keen sight, for 

 not even the smallest insect in its vicinity can escape its vision. 

 The moment one of them descries a prey, the whole flock vie 

 with each other to obtain possession of it. 



The Sandpipers are natives of the northern parts of the Old and 



Fig. 125 Bedshank {Totan-us stagnatiti, Temm.). 



New World ; they visit France twice a year — in spring and 

 autumn. They breed in the North, and lay from three to five 

 eggs. The extreme delicacy of their flesh causes them to be much 

 sought after by epicures ; they are, therefore, captured in every 

 possible way. Extinction will probably be the result. To gratify 

 the tastes of the gourmand and the bloodthirsty instincts of the 

 poacher, the lovers of nature are, forsooth, to be deprived of one 

 of the most innocent and beautiful families of birds. 

 In France seven species of Sandpipers are known, varying in 



