Birds. 



8525 



if the bird was known to dive for food. My supposition seems to have been satis- 

 factorily confirmed by Mr. Leven's paper, and again by the Rev. G. C. Green." By 

 a reference to their notes, however, it would appear that Mr. Blake-Knox is easily satis- 

 fied. As to Mr. Green's statement (Zool. 8283) it merely amounts to this : that he, 

 loo, has seen a wounded sandpiper dive ; but this your correspondent seemingly con- 

 siders " satisfactorily confirming his supposition," though his " chief object was to learn 

 if the bird was known to dive for food." The fact is, that the Rev. G. C. Green, Mr. 

 Blake-Knox and myself can merely certify to having seen wounded sandpipers swim 

 and dive, — not for food, but to escape capture ; consequently it can hardly be said 

 that we have " added much to the life-histories of these interesting birds." No; the 

 credit — if credit there be — belongs of right to Mr. Leven, as he alone has observed the 

 diving of the unwounded bird. Let us then see what facts are to be gleaned from his 

 short note. On a careful reperusal of it, all I can gather is this. That he once, as he 

 seems sure of no more, saw a sandpiper dive when amusing itself on the shore or bank 

 of a stream. But it may be as well to quote his own words (Zool. 8237): — " I have 

 noticed it often dive when wounded, and on one or two occasions while the birds were 

 amusing themselves on the shore or bank of a stream. Whether they were after food 

 or not I cannot say." I would likewise call attention to the following sentences: — " I 

 have seen them dive four or five feet deep, and that not by plunging in, but from the 

 surface;" and he adds, " I never saw one swimming on the surface unless wounded." 

 Opportunities seldom offer for a close inspection of birds of this species, except during 

 the breeding season. I have then seen them perch on a rail or fence within a few yards 

 of me, and have had to drive them away to prevent their seeing me approach their nest. 

 But on one occasion, when residing on the north-east coast of Scotland, on rowing out 

 to the beacon rock, about two miles from the harbour of Lossiemouth, I found, about 

 noon, on a calm winter's day, an innumerable flock, or rather assemblage or combi- 

 nation of flocks, of sandpipers awaiting the receding of the tide. There they sat, 

 apparently unconscious of danger, allowing us to row within a few yards of them 

 without one taking wing. By far the greater part were sleeping or reposing on the 

 shelving rock, but many with outstretched wings were preening their feathers ; others 

 were standing or reclining on the outer edge or margin of the rock, basking in the 

 sun; and numbers were to be seen playing or sporting about in the shallow water or 

 pools, but none diving, though they may have ducked or dipped for a second or two 

 without my attaching much importance to it. We had a gun with us, but they were 

 not shot at or otherwise disturbed. Unless by some such chance Mr. Leven could 

 hardly have got within thirty or forty yards of a flock, and at that distance it would be 

 difficult to see or make out whether the birds might be dipping or diving, but as they 

 were on the " shore or bank of the stream," i. e. in shallow water, the former is the most 

 likely. What we want is to hear something of the habits or life-history of the un- 

 wounded birds. As to the swimming of land birds I am aware that even a barn-door 

 fowl, when scared, will fly into or take refuge in a horse-pond, and float. In that way, 

 doubtless, land birds swim, but I have yet to learn that they can generally " propel 

 themselves through the water by their feet," though they may flutter on for a time, but 

 their plumage — unlike that of the waterfowls — being unanointed would soon be satu- 

 rated, when they would drown of course. Wounded or hunted animals it is well known 

 often take to the water. The cat, though by no means amphibious, will do so. I have 

 seen one swim across a large pond. However, in a wild state it is not unlikely that 

 it may occasionally prey upon fish, seeing how partial the domestic cat is to that food. 



