BIRDS HUNTED FOR FOOD OR SPORT. 323 



cornfield or a potato field. Often as a boy while hoeing in the 

 field I found its antics much more interesting than my work. 



The Spotted Sandpiper has not diminished in numbers 

 so much within my experience as have those species which 

 frequent mainly the sea-shore. Nevertheless, there are many 

 places in eastern Massachusetts where it formerly was common 

 and where now it rarely is seen. Only fifteen of my Massa- 

 chusetts correspondents report an increase of this species in 

 the State, while fifty -nine write of a decrease. 



This bird frequents the uplands away from the water more 

 than most of the Sandpipers, and it does not wade much when 

 feeding along the shore. Still, at need, it does not hesitate to 

 wade, swim and dive. Dr. Warren notes that a young bird 

 when wounded took to the water in a shallow stream, went to 

 the bottom like a stone, ran across on the bottom, and coming 

 up on the other side endeavored to conceal itself by sub- 

 merging its body and pushing its head among long grass grow- 

 ing at the water's edge. In September, 1876, I saw a wounded 

 bird of this species when pursued, dive into deep water from 

 the shore of the Charles River and fly off under water, using 

 its wings somewhat as a bird would use them in the air. All its 

 plumage was covered with bubbles of air, which caught the 

 light until the bird appeared as if studded with sparkling gems 

 as it sped away into the depths of the dark river. 



In the mating season the male struts before the female, puff- 

 ing out the breast as if to display his importance and beauty. 



This Sandpiper shows its characteristic motions to the best 

 advantage when it fears that its young are in danger. It bal- 

 ances along the top of a wall or fence, displaying the utmost 

 activity and alarm, rapidly uttering its cries of jpeetweet, peet- 

 weet, and bobbing about from one side to the other. It is more 

 or less a land bird during the breeding season, but is fond of 

 the shores of lakes and the banks of streams during the migra- 

 tions. It flies along the rivers usually in half circuits, going 

 out over the water and returning to the shore with short 

 nervous strokes. Sailing sometimes with down-bent wing 

 tips, it veers from side to side, and then alighting bobs about 

 near the brink. Sometimes in early spring it is very quiet. 



