COMMON SANDPIPER. 9 



which we have witnessed more than once. Owing to the fact 

 that the Sandpiper never hides nor squats, it is a very easy 

 bird to approach with a gun. 



The present species is not remarkable for sociability ; for 

 whether a flock starts on the wing together, or alights at the 

 same time, each bird follows its own inclination, without pay- 

 ing the least attention to the call-note of its companions. 



The call-note of this bird is best expressed by the word 

 heedeedee, heedeedee ! the second syllable being uttered loud- 

 est, the tone much resembling that of a flute ; it approaches 

 nearest to the call-note of the king-fisher, but is not so shrill, 

 and at least two notes lower in music. It is very remarkable 

 how often this call-note is repeated when the bird is on the 

 wing ; we may almost assert that this repetition amounts to 

 from forty to fifty times. It is not difficult to keep the Sand- 

 piper in confinement, if only slightly wounded in the wing in 

 obtaining it. 



The food, in a natural state, consists of small insects and their 

 larvae, and with these many grains of sand are swallowed ; the 

 insects consist chiefly in flies, gnats, and water-spiders, but 

 rarely snails, if ever so small. 



About the middle of April these birds pair and choose 

 the spot for their nest, which is on the ground, always above 

 the highest water-mark to which any spring-flood reaches ; 

 the distance from the water is not great, the nearest suitable 

 spot for the purpose being chosen, but the nest is so 

 carefully hidden under the lower branches of willows, osiers, 

 &c, that it is exceedingly difficult to find it ; and there is 

 never an entrance to it but from one side only. The 

 nest is little more than a hollow in the ground, neatly 

 lined with dry grasses, and a few dead leaves of the willow. 

 The number of eggs never exceeds four, which are hatched 

 by the mother in about fourteen days ; and the young leave 

 the nest as soon as they are dry, when they hide themselves 



