THE SPOTTED SAND PIPER. 219 
ground it appears to be constantly in motion, now 
darting along the water’s edge after a spider, and 
now dabbling in the mud with its bill in search of 
worms, all the while wagging its stumpy little tail in 
a most ludicrous manner • no matter in what position 
it is seen, except when flying, this perpetual motion 
of the tail is observable ; and even the young acquire 
the singular habit almost immediately upon leaving 
the shell. These little fellows also run about with 
wonderful speed, which no doubt enables them to 
escape danger with great facility. The old birds 
manifest great anxiety in protecting them, fluttering 
about with much concern at the approach of an in- 
truder, using every stratagem they are capable of to 
secure their escape. The following beautiful incident 
is related by Wilson : 
“ My venerable friend, Mr. William Bartram, in- 
forms me that he saw one of these birds defend her 
young for a considerable time from the repeated at- 
tacks 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 attempt 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 forward on the squirrel, who, intimi- 
dated by her boldness and manner, instantly re- 
treated ; 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 brist- 
