The Least Sandpiper 



made with many flashing strokes of that factotum tool, the bill; 

 are stretched, and their filmy draperies are rearranged to a fairy's 

 If you have been discreet, you are either forgotten by 

 now, or else accepted as a part of life's gracious 

 horizon. If it is mealtime, you shall see 

 a thousand rapier- 

 thrusts into 

 the sand for 



wings 

 taste. 



Taken near Santa Barbara 

 Photo by the Author 



AT BAY 



"fleas" or tiny crustaceans, which are swallowed at a 



gulp. Or you shall see bright eyes, which spy tid-bits 



and unguessable delicacies in the shallow water of a 



brackish pool or on its oozy bottom ; and the Peeps will 



wade about belly-deep, thrusting their heads under water as fearlessly 



as ducks. Or if it is the siesta, most privileged of hours, you shall see little 



beaks thrust under wing, and slumber at a rod's remove as sweet and 



Taken near Santa Barbara 



A TRUSTFUL COMPANY 



Photo by the Author 



1241 



