356 SPOTTED SANDPIPER. 



quarter in length, very thick at the great end, and tapering 

 suddenly to the other. The young run about with wonderful 

 speed as soon as they leave the shell, and are then covered 

 with down of a dull drab colour, marked with a single 

 streak of black down the middle of the back, and with 

 another behind each ear. They have a weak, plaintive note. 

 On the approach of any person, the parents exhibit symptoms 

 of great distress, counterfeiting lameness, and fluttering along 

 the ground with seeming difficulty. On the appearance of a 

 dog, this agitation is greatly increased ; and it is very inter- 

 esting to observe with what dexterity she will lead him from 

 her young, by throwing herself repeatedly before him, flutter- 

 ing off, and keeping just without his reach, on a contrary 

 direction from her helpless brood. My venerable friend Mr 

 William Bartram informs me, that he saw one of these birds 

 defend her young for a considerable time from the repeated 

 attacks 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 forwards on the squirrel, who, intimidated by her 

 boldness and manner, instantly retreated ; but presently re- 

 turning, was met, as before, in front and on flank by the 

 daring and affectionate bird, who, with her wings and whole 

 plumage bristling up, seemed swelled to twice her usual size. 

 The young crowded together behind her, apparently sensible 

 of their perilous situation, moving backwards and forwards as 

 she advanced or retreated. This interesting scene lasted for at 

 least ten minutes ; the strength of the poor parent began evi- 

 dently to flag, and the attacks of the squirrel became more 

 daring and frequent, when my good friend, like one of those celes- 

 tial agents who, in Homer's time, so often decided the palm of 

 victory, stepped forward from his retreat, drove the assailant 

 back to his hole, and rescued the innocent from destruction. 



