SPOTTED SANDPIPER 



61 



each ear. They have a weak, plaintive note. On the approach 

 of any person the parents exhibit symptoms of great distress, coun- 

 terfeiting lameness, and fluttering along the ground with seeming 

 difficulty. On the appearance of a dog, this agitation is greatly in- 

 creased; and it is very interesting to observe with what dexterity 

 she will lead him from her young, by throwing herself repeatedly 

 before him, fluttering 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 ap- 

 pearance she was capable of, and rushed forwards on the squirrel, 

 who, intimidated by her boldness and manner, instantly retreated; 

 but presently returning, 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 evidently to flag, and the at- 

 tacks of the squirrel became more daring and frequent, when my 

 good friend, like one of those celestial 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. 



The flight of this bird is usually low, skimming along the sur- 

 face of the water, its long wings making a considerable angle 

 downwards from the body, while it utters a rapid cry of weet iveet 

 iveet as it flutters along, seldom steering in a direct line up or 



VOL. VII. % 



