SPOrrED SANDPIPER. 
163 
he delighted to associate, informed Wilson of the spirited de- 
fence which one of these Peet-Weets made of her young 
against the attacks of a Ground Squirrel. The place was on 
the river shore ; the female had thrown herself, with her two 
young behind her, between them and the land ; and at every 
attempt of the enemy to seize them by a circuitous sweep, she 
raised both her wings almost perpendicularly, and assuming this 
formidable appearance, rushed towards the squirrel, who, intimi- 
dated by this show of resistance, instantly retreated ; but soon 
returning, was met, as before, in front and flank by the resolute 
bird, who, with her wings and plumage bristled up, seemed 
swelled to twice her usual size. The young crowded together 
behind her, sensible of their peril, moving backwards and for- 
wards as she advanced or retreated. In this way the contest 
endured for about ten minutes, when, as the strength of our 
little heroine began to fail, the friendly presence of the humane 
relater put an end to the unequal and doubtful contest. 
Young and old, previous to their departure, frequent the sea- 
shores like most of the species, but never associate with other 
kinds nor become gregarious, living always in families till the 
time of their departure, which usually occurs about the middle 
of October. While near the shore they feed on small shrimps, 
coleoptera, and probably also mollusca. 
The Spotted Sandpiper is abundant throughout North America. 
It breeds in New England (though sparingly to the southward of 
latitude 43°), westward to Ontario, and north to the Hudson Bay 
district. 
