SPOTTED SANDPIPER. 
65 
each ear. They 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 seeming 
diflflculty. On the appearance of a dog, this agitation is greatly in- 
creased ; and it is very interesting to observe with what dexterity 
the female will lead him from her young, by throwing herself re- 
peatedly before him, fluttering off, and keeping just without his 
reach, on a contrary direction from her helpless brood. My vene- 
rable friend, Mr. William Bartram, informs me, that he saw one of 
these birds defend her young for a considerable time from the re- 
peated 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 at- 
tempt of the squirrel to seize them by a circuitous sweep, raised 
both her wings in an almost perpendicular position, assuming the 
most formidable appearance she was capable of, and rushed for- 
wards on the squirrel, who, intimidated by her boldness and man- 
ner, instantly retreated ; but presently returning, was met, as be- 
fore, in front and on flank by the daring and affectionate bii'd, who 
with her wings and whole plumage bristling up, seemed swelled to 
twice her usual size. The young crowded together behind her, 
apparently 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 be- 
gan evidently to flag, and the attacks of the squirrel became more 
daring and frequent, when my good friend, like one of those celes- 
tial agents who, in Homer’s time, so often decided the palm of vic- 
tory, stepped forward from his retreat, drove the assailant back to 
his hole, and i;;escued 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 weet weet 
zveet as it flutters along, seldom steering in a direct line up or 
VOL. VII. ^ 
B. M EYWlitiAtiT, 
West ('h.pstfyy Ha., 
jfet to Inojuiri on t-ny Con/itH i 
