THE SPOTTED SAND PIPER. 219 



ground it appears to be constantly in motion, now 

 darting along the water's edge after a spider, and 

 now dabbling in the mud with its bill in search of 

 worms, all the while wagging its stumpy little tail in 

 a most ludicrous manner; no matter in what position 

 it is seen, except when flying, this perpetual motion 

 of the tail is observable ; and even the young acquire 

 the singular habit almost immediately upon leaving 

 the shell. These little fellows also run about with 

 wonderful speed, which no doubt enables them to 

 escape danger with great facility. The old birds 

 manifest great anxiety in protecting them, fluttering 

 about with much concern at the approach of an in- 

 truder, using every stratagem they are capable of to 

 secure their escape. The following beautiful incident 

 is related by Wilson : 



" My venerable friend, Mr. William Bartram, in- 

 forms me that he saw one of these birds defend her 

 young for a considerable time from the repeated at- 

 tacks 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 perpendicular position, assuming 

 the most formidable appearance she was capable of, 

 and rushed forward on the squirrel, who, intimi- 

 dated by her boldness and manner, instantly re- 

 treated; 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 brist- 



