The Least Sandpiper 



perfect as though conducted under the shimmering canopy of an Arctic 

 sky. 



Least Sandpipers may be found almost anywhere in winter in the 

 warmer parts of California, in the vicinity of lakes and ponds and lowland 

 plashes, about brackish lagoons, more rarely upon sloping shores. Their 

 numbers, however, are never so great as during migrations, since the bulk 

 of this species winters still further south. They mingle freely with birds 

 of either species, especially with Western Sandpipers (Ereunetes mauri). 

 Sometimes they occur in flocks numbering thousands, but these occur- 

 rences are notably rarer than of yore. 



According to those who have made a close study of this species, as 

 in the Canadian and sub-Arctic regions, it is not easily possible to exag- 

 gerate the confiding nature nor the winsome grace of the Least Sandpiper 

 at home. The female who, for a season at least, has sole care of the nest, 

 will patter about the very feet of the intruder, or else return to the nest 

 at any cost, even under the threat of an overarching hand. On such 

 occasions, also, she indulges in a song, remarkable not alone for its pathos, 

 but for its variety and musical quality as well. This song is heard at 

 its best in mid-air, and the ecstasy of the song-passion sometimes takes 

 the performer out of sight. But what is this? She has pleaded, she has 

 confided, she has even offered her body with its little spoonful of meat 

 as a ransom for her little ones. Is it not enough? Then she will sing 

 you a song, full-hearted, exultant, sacrificial; she will win you from the 

 flesh with its paltry lusts, and summon to a like high-minded sacrifice — 

 to faith, in fine. O joy of trust! O victory of sacrifice ! O anthem fitly 

 echoed in the human heart! 



Taken near Santa Barbara 



1242 



A REPEATER 

 it's only once a year that a poor photographer body gets such a willing model 



Photo by the Author 



