The best accounts of this species are contained in the works of Wilson and Audubon, the latter of whom 
states that it is the most truly terrestrial of all its tribe with which he was acquainted ; “ for although not 
unfrequently met with in the vicinity of shallow pools, the muddy margins of the shores of the sea, and fresh- 
water lakes and streams, it never ventures to wade into them. The dry upland plains of Opellousas and Attacapas 
in Louisiana are amply tenanted with these birds in early spring and in antumn. They arrive there in the 
beginning of March from the vast prairies of Texas and Mexico (where they spend the winter), and return about 
the first of August. They are equally abundant on all the western prairies on both sides of the Missouri, 
where, however, they arrive about a month later than in Louisiana, whence they disperse over the United 
States, reaching the middle districts early in May, and the State of Maine by the middle of that month, at 
about which period they are also seen in Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio. That some proceed as far north as 
the plains adjoining the Saskatchewan river is certain ; for Dr. Richardson thei’e met with examples in the 
month of May. In the neighbourhood of New Orleans (where the bird is known by the name of “ Papabote ”) 
it usually arrives in great bands in spring, and is met with on the open plains and large grassy savannas, 
and usually remains about a fortnight. On their return southward in the beginning of August (when they 
tarry in Louisiana until the 1st of October), they are fat and juicy. In spring, when they are poor and thin, 
they are usually much less shy than in autumn, at which period they are exceedingly wary and difficult of 
approach. Like all experienced travellers, Bartram’s Sandpiper appears to accommodate itself to circumstances 
as regards food; for in Louisiana it feeds on Cantharides and other Coleopterous insects ; in Massachusetts on 
grasshoppers, on which it soon grows very fat ; in the Carolinas on crickets and other insects, as well as the 
seeds of the crabgrass (Digitaria sanguimria) ; and in the barrens of Kentucky it often picks the strawberries. 
Those which feed on Cantharides require to be very carefully cleaned; otherwise persons who eat them are 
liable to suffer severely ; but when their flesh is imbued with the flavour of ripe strawberries it is truly delicious. 
“They not unfrequently alight on fences, trees, and out-houses, but, whether in such situations or on the 
ground, seldom settle without raising both wings upright to their full extent and uttering their loud and prolonged, 
but pleasing notes. They run with great activity, stop suddenly and vibrate the body once or twice. When 
earnestly followed they lower their heads and run off rapidly, or squat, according to the urgency of the occasion. 
At other times they partially extend their wings, run a few steps, as if about to fly, and then cunningly move off 
sideways and conceal themselves among the grass or behind a clod. You are not unfrequently rendered aware 
of your being within sight of them by unexpectedly hearing their plaintive and mellow notes ; yet, on searching 
for the bird, you nowhere see it, for the cunning creature has slipped away and hid itself. When wounded in 
the wing, they run to a great distance and are rarely found. 
“ I have found the eggs of this bird laid on the bare earth, scooped out to the depth of about an inch and 
a half, near the roots of a tuft of rank grass in the middle of a meadow ; and seen some nests formed of loosely 
arranged grasses, placed almost beneath low bushes growing on poor elevated ridges furnished with a scanty 
vegetation. The eggs measure an inch and five eighths by an inch and a quarter ; they are broadly rounded at 
one end and rather pointed at the other, their surface smooth ; the ground-colour dull greyish yellow, with 
numerous spots of light purple and reddish browm.” 
“ In New Orleans,” says Mr. Dresser, in ‘ The Ibis ’ for 1866, “ this bird is much sought after by epicures ; 
and I quite agree with them in so doing, for I never tasted a better one. Indeed we ate them three times 
a day whenever we could procure them, and would touch nothing else. Our mode of cooking them was 
to pluck and draw, then split them up the hack, and fry them in their own fat, adding a little pepper and 
salt; and in such good condition were they, that this melted fat would almost cover them in the pan, and 
the process nearly became one of boiling instead of frying. In some cases I have seen them so fat that 
they actually burst on falling to the ground.” 
I am indebted to J. H. Gurney, Esq. for the following interesting note on the habits of this bird as 
observed by Mr. R. P. Nicholls, of Kingsbridge, Devon, “ an intelligent and trustworthy observer of nature.” 
“ In the neighbourhood of the town of Trempealeau, on the river Mississippi, in the western part of Wisconsin, 
United States, where I resided for several years, these birds were very common from the beginning of May to 
July, when they seemed to retire, most probably southw^ard. They are to be seen running and flying in pairs, 
and breeding on the extensive prairie-lands, always on the borders of the oak openings, and not near water ; they 
seem to be very tame, and will permit one to approach, especially when breaking ground, so near as to be able 
to knock them down with the ox-whip, which to do is considered cowardly by the people. Their mode of flight 
is very peculiar ; they rise from the ground and soar, not unlike the Kestrel, directly over your head, as if watching 
your movements ; and if a tree is near, they apparently float to, and perch on, the uppermost bough, at the same 
time raising their wings over the back so as nearly to touch at their points, and uttering a shrill short whistle 
gradually diminishing in sound until it is scarcely perceptible. Where the trees are large they also frequently 
settle on their main branches. I have often sat down on the grass, remaining perfectly quiet, when they 
would pick about in pairs, uttering a guttural note, and approach wdthin six or seven yards of me with the 
greatest confidence. Their nest is merely a slight indentation in the ground, protected by a tuft of prairie-grass. 
I have often seen the eggs, numbering four or five, of a large size, and of an olive-bro-um colour, profusely 
spotted with dark brown. I have never known them breed on ground that has been once cultivated, but always 
on the wild prairie-land ” 
The Plate represents two birds, of the natural size. 
