90 
TOTANUS MACULARIUS. 
are then covered with down of a dull drab coloo^' 
marked with a single streak of black down the 
of the back, and with another behind each ear. 
lAive a weak, plaintive note. On the approach of 
person, the parents exhibit symptoms of great distres*' 
counterfeiting lameness, and fluttering along t*** 
ground u ith seeming difliculty. On the appearance^ 
a dog, this agitation is greatly increased ; and it is veC 
interesting to observe with what dexterity she will le^ 
him from her young, by throwing herself repeatcuV 
before him, fluttering oflii and keeping just without 1^ 
reach, on a contrary direction from her helpless bro®* 
My venerable friend, Mr William Bartrara, informs®* 
that he saw one of these birds defend her young fofj 
considerable time from the repeated attacks of a grow 
squii-rel. The scene of action was on the river sho<* 
The parent had thrown herself, with her two yoU” 
behind her, between them and the laud ; and at eV®*- 
attempt of the squirrel to seize them by a circuit*^ 
sweep, raised both her wings in an almost perpeudiew 
position, assuming the most formidable appearance 
was capable of, and rushed forwards on the squif^ 
who, intimidated by her boldness and manner, instaO" 
retreated ; but presentlj' returning, was met, as bef®’!| 
in front and on flank by the daring and affectionjj 
bird, who, with her wings and whole plumage bristl*^ 
up, seemed swelled to twice her usual size. The y®'*^ 
crowded together behind her, apparently sensible’ j 
their perilous situation, moving backwards and foru'iw 
as she advanced or retreated. This interesting sC® 
lasted for at least ten minutes; the strength of 
poor parent began evidently to flag, and the attacks^ 
the squirrel became more daring and frequent, " 
my good friend, like one of those celestial agents 
in Homer’s time, so often decided the palm of vict®^i 
stepped forward from his retreat, drove the assajj*. 
back to his hole, and rescued the innocent 
destruction. , . 
The flight of this bird is usually low, skim®’'; 
along the surface of the water, its long wings mak®^ 
