498 SPOTTED SANDPIPER. 
to the other. The young run about with wonderful speed as soon as 
they leave the shell, and are then covered with down of a dull drab 
color, marked with a single streak of black down the middle of the 
back, and with another behind each ear. They have a weak, plaintive 
note. On the approach of any person, the parents exhibit symptoms 
of great distress, counterfeiting lameness, and fluttering along the 
ground with seeming difficulty. On the appearance of a dog, this 
agitation is greatly increased ; and it is very interesting to observe with 
what dexterity she will lead him from her young, by throwing herself 
repeatedly before him, fluttering off, and keeping just without his reach, 
on a contrary direction from her helpless brood. My venerable friend, 
Mr. William Bertram, informs me, that he saw one of these birds de- 
fend her young for a considerable time from the repeated attacks of a 
ground squirrel. The scene of action was on the river shore. The 
parent had thrown herself, with her two young behind her, between 
them and the land; and at every attempt of the squirrel to seize them 
by a circuitous sweep, raised both her wings in an almost perpendicu- 
lar position, assuming the most formidable appearance she was capa- 
ble of, and rushed forwards on the squirrel, who, intimidated by her 
boldness and manner, instantly retreated ; but presently returning, was 
met, as before, in front and on flank by the daring and affectionate 
bird, who, with her wings and whole plumage bristling up, seemed 
swelled to twice her usual size. The young crowded together behind 
her, apparently sensible of their perilous situation, moving backwards 
and forwards as she advanced or retreated. This interesting scene 
lasted for at least ten minutes ; the strength of the poor parent began 
evidently to flag, and the attacks of the squirrel became more daring 
and frequent, when my good friend, like one of those celestial agents, 
who, in Homer’s time, so often decided the palm of victory, stepped 
forward from his retreat, drove the assailant back to his hole, and res- 
cued the innocent from destruction. 
The flight of this bird is usually low, skimming along the surface 
of the water, its long wings making a considerable angle downwards 
from the body, while it utters a rapid cry of weet, weet, weet, as it flut- 
ters along, seldom steering in a direct line up or down the river, but 
making a long, circuitous sweep, stretching a great way out, and 
gradually bending in again to the shore. 
These birds are found occasionally along the sea marshes, as weil 
as in the interior; and also breed in the corn-fields there, frequenting 
the shore in search of food; but rarely associating with the other 
Tringe. About the middle of October, they leave us, on their way 
to the south, and do not, to my knowledge, winter in any of the At- 
lantic States. 
Mr. Pennant is of opinion, that this same species is found in Britain; 
bat neither his description, nor that of Mr. Bewick, will apply correctly 
to this. The following particulars, with Fig. 233, will enable Euro- 
peans to determine this matter to their satisfaction : — 
Length of the Spotted Sandpiper, seven inches and a half; extent, 
thirteen inches ; bill, an inch long, straight, the tip and upper mandi- 
ble, dusky, lower, orange ; stripe over the eye, and lower eyelid, pure 
white; whole upper parts, a glossy olive, with greenish reflections, 
each feather marked with waving spots of dark brown; wing-quills, 
