130 
SPOTTED SANDPIPER. 
of a full drab colour, marked with a single streak of black down 
the middle of the back, and with another behind each ear. 
'I'hey have a weak, plaintive note. On the approach of any 
person, the parents exhibit symptoms of great distress, coun- 
terfeiting lameness, and fluttering along the ground with seem- 
ing difficulty. On the appearance of a dog, this agitation is 
greatly increased; and it is very interesting to observe with 
what dexterity the female will lead him from her young, by 
throwing herself repeatedly before him, fluttering off, and keep- 
ing just without his reach, on a contrary direction from her 
helpless brood. My venerable friend, Mr. William Bartram, 
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 pa- 
rent had thrown herself, with her two young behind her, be- 
tween 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 pei'pendicular position, assuming 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 and whole plumage bristling up, seemed swelled to twice 
her usual size. The young crowded together behind her, appa- 
rently 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 loeet 
