94 
BIRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA 
Genus ACTITIS Illiger. 
Actitis macularia (Linn.). 
Spotted Sandpiper ; Tilt-up. 
Description {Plate 81). 
Bill straight, slender and a little longer than head ; mandibles grooved ; lower 
third of tibiae bare ; legs rather long ; toes long, the outer and middle have basal 
web. Size small ; sexes alike ; adults in winter and young very similar. 
Adult. — Length about 7g inches; extent about 13i ; bill pale yellow, with black 
tip ; eyes brown ; legs pale flesh color. Upper parts grayish or brownish olive with 
greenish or bronzy lustre and irregular spots, streaks, and lines of blackish ; white 
streak over eye ; lower parts white with numerous rounded black spots. The young 
and adults in winter have less metallic lustre on upper narts, and under parts are 
while or nearly white. 
Habitat. — North and South America, south to Brazil. Breeds throughout tem- 
perate North America. Occasional in Europe. 
The Tilt-up, as this sandpiper is universally known in this section, 
arrives in Pennsylvania about the middle of April, sometimes even earlier. 
It is common and indig-enous. The nest is placed on the ground in a 
grass field, sometimes in a grain field, or on the sandy bank near streams 
and ponds, along which these birds are commonly found industriously 
seeking their hidden prey. The creamy or buff colored eggs, from two 
to five in number, are spotted and blotched with different shades of 
brown and black. This bird, like other of the waders, places its eggs 
in the nest with the small ends together. Wilson very properly says : 
‘‘ This species is as remai^kable for perpetually wagging the tail as some 
others are for nodding the head ; for, whether running on the ground, 
or on fences, along the rails, or in the water, this motion seems continual ; 
even the young, soon after they are freed from the shell, run about con- 
stantly wagging the tail.” Wlien you approach the eggs or young the 
old birds manifest great concern. They flutter along the ground as if 
injured, and should you follow and attempt to catch them they will lead 
you to a considerable distance from their treasures before flying off. 
Wilson mentions the following instance, which shows the great solici- 
tude which the female has for her young : ‘‘ My venerable friend, Mr. 
William Barton, 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, as- 
suming 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 returning, was met, as before, in front 
and on flank by the daring and affectionate bird, who, with her wings 
