Lancaster, Mass.
1911.
May 21
(No 2)
[May 21, 1911]

Courtship of Spotted Sandpipers

was made nearly straight and rarely exceeded twenty yards
in length) but rather oftener the wings were alternately opened
and closed and the chest expanded and contracted, the white patch
blossoming out like an unfolding flower and then disappearing to
quickly reappear again. The two male birds appeared to be
displaying their rival charms in a spirit of friendly competition,
after the manner of Whistler and Goosander drakes, for they did
not once threaten one another in any way. They performed in
silence for the most part although I heard a little peet-weeting
when they were on the ground and occasionally one would
rise on wing and give the flight song as it fluttered &
skimmed, along over the muddy flat. The female was chiefly
engaged in feeding and seemed to pay little or no
attention to the males. We thought that the appearance
and disappearance of the very conspicuous white was due to
the alternate raising and flattening of the plumage of the chest.