98 



SPOTTED SANDPIPERS 



In spite of the invading sand pumps, the dusty 

 procession of scavenger carts, and the drifting cans 

 and kegs that make their way over the weedy water. 

 Spotted Sandpipers continue to make their homes 

 along the sandy barricade of the marsh. It is their 

 ancient habitation, and they simply ignore the im- 

 pertinence of the other bipeds who have invaded 

 it in a swarming half million. There must be a 

 fascination in the sand-girt marsh, for the shore- 

 waders never fail to rest for a few days on their long 

 journey to arctic or inland summer homes. Through- 

 out the entire season vagrant Kildeer, Black-hearts, 

 and Stints are coming and going. But the Spotted 

 Sandpiper comes to stay and make his home. Among 

 the rounded and water-washed pebbles of the shore 

 he would often be invisible but for the perpetual 

 tilting motion of his body. Whether feeding in the 

 soft mud or posing on a sandy ridge outlined against 

 the mingling and uneasy waves his restless energy 

 keeps up the same untiring motion. His body seems 

 to partake of the ceaseless impulse that urges the 

 water, even when the air is still, to rise and fall against 

 every confining margin. These birds give a touch of 



