SPOTTED SANDPIPER. 
343 
informs me, that he saw one of these birds defend her young, for a con- 
siderable 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 re- 
treated ; 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 attacks 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 surface of 
the water, its long wings making a considerable angle downwards from 
the body, while it utters a rapid cry of weet weet tveet as it flutters along, 
seldom steering in a direct line up or down the river, but making a long 
circuitous sweep, stretching a great way out, and gradually bending in 
again' to the shore. 
These birds are found occasionally along the sea marshes, as well as 
in the interior ; and also breed in the corn fields there, frequenting the 
shore in search of food ; but rarely associating with the other Tringce. 
About the middle of October they leave us on their way to the south, 
and do not, to my knowledge, winter in any of the Atlantic States. 
Mr. Pennant is of opinion that this same species is found in Britain ; 
but neither his description, nor that of Mr. Bewick, will apply correctly 
to this. The following particulars, with the figure, will enable Euro- 
peans to determine this matter to their satisfaction. 
Length of the Spotted Sandpiper seven inches and a half, extent 
thirteen inches ; bill an inch long, straight, the tip, and upper mandible, 
dusky, lower orange ; stripe over the eye, and lower eyelid, pure white ; 
whole upper parts a glossy olive, with greenish reflections, each feather 
marked with waving spots of dark brown ; wing quills deep dusky ; 
bastard Aving bordered and tipped with white ; a spot of white on the 
middle of the inner vane of each quill feather, except the first ; 
secondaries tipped with white ; tail rounded, the six middle feathers 
greenish olive, the other three, on each side, white, barred with black ; 
whole lower parts white, beautifully marked with roundish spots of 
